Following Manchester City's victory against Bournemouth in the 37th round of the Premier League, manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a firm ultimatum to the club's hierarchy regarding future transfer policies.
The Spanish tactician expressed strong opposition to maintaining an oversized squad, stating he would rather leave the club than continue working with too many players.
"I've informed the club that I don't want a large squad," Guardiola declared. "I refuse to consistently leave five or six players in the stands each match. If management insists on a larger roster, I won't continue my work here."
Guardiola emphasized his discomfort with the ethical challenge of denying players regular game time, adding: "It's unacceptable for me to keep players sidelined without opportunities to play. I've made it clear to club executives that I don't want 24, 25, or 26 players available when everyone is fit."
According to Statbet analysis, Manchester City has maintained one of the most expensive squads in European football over recent seasons, making Guardiola's stance particularly significant for their transfer strategy.
Rather than maintaining a bloated squad, the City manager indicated his preference for promoting youth talent when injuries occur: "If players get injured during the season, that's unfortunate. We have several academy players ready to step up, and they'll get their chances in such situations."
Meanwhile, reports suggest Manchester City is pursuing a significant transfer for a midfielder currently playing for AC Milan, potentially adding another high-profile signing to Guardiola's squad despite his comments about maintaining a streamlined roster.
