Guardiola Prioritizes a Reduced Squad at Manchester City
Manchester City’s coach, Pep Guardiola, has expressed his firm stance on the team’s configuration for next season. The Catalan strategist stated that he would rather leave the club than work with a squad overloaded with players.
After the first season without titles since 2017, Guardiola has begun to rebuild the team. However, he has made it clear to the management that he does not want a large squad, indicating that his continuity depends on maintaining a small group of players.
“I told the club I don’t want that. I don’t want to leave five or six players in the stands. I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter team, I will stay. It’s impossible for my soul to leave my players in the stands, unable to play,” Guardiola declared after the 3-1 victory against Bournemouth.
Pep Guardiola
In the match against Bournemouth, Guardiola left James McAtee, Savinho, and Rico Lewis out of the squad. Similar decisions had to be made in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
Historically, Guardiola has preferred to work with a smaller squad. The injuries suffered during the season, including Rodri’s, affected City’s title defense, which faded before Christmas.
The club invested over 200 million dollars in January to try and save the season, incorporating Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
Guardiola is expected to make important signings in the next market, with the departure of Kevin De Bruyne as a free agent and the probable departure of Kyle Walker. However, he has emphasized his desire to maintain a squad with fewer players.
“I don’t want to have 24, 25, 26 players when everyone is fit. If I have injuries, bad luck. We have some academy players and we will do it.
We cannot maintain the club’s excitement, the soul of the team, create another connection between them that we lost a bit this season.
