Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City’s top brass are backing his plan to trim the squad next season, even if they manage to clinch Champions League qualification on the final day.
City travel to Fulham on Sunday needing just a point to secure a top-five finish and avoid missing out on Europe’s top competition for the first time since the 2010/11 season. They currently sit two points ahead of sixth-placed Aston Villa, with a significantly better goal difference.
However, the stakes are high: a loss at Craven Cottage, coming on the heels of their shock FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, could cap a disappointing season with yet more frustration. Despite this, Guardiola appears set on overhauling the squad, saying a leaner group will be easier to manage — a sentiment the club hierarchy reportedly supports.
Pep Guardiola has now clarified that he has no intention of stepping down, despite his earlier emotional comments about potentially quitting if unable to trim his squad. After previously stating it was “impossible for my soul” to manage a bloated team and regularly leave players out, he has since tempered his remarks.
Speaking ahead of City’s crucial clash with Fulham, Guardiola confirmed that the club’s hierarchy fully supports his plan to reduce the squad size next season. He emphasized that the emotional toll of managing too many top-level players had pushed him to speak out, but he reassured fans and the media that he remains committed to Manchester City, with restructuring already in motion.
Pep Guardiola clarified his recent resignation remarks by saying, “I was laughing when I said that. I’m not going to quit.” However, he reiterated his concern about squad size, emphasizing the emotional and professional toll of having players regularly left out of matchday squads.
“I don’t want players at home with their families when the team is playing,” he said. “In the last three weeks, we had four, five or six players at home — that is not healthy for any of us, for them especially, for me and the club.”
Guardiola confirmed the club agrees with his stance and will support changes to ensure all players can compete regularly. Despite beginning the season aiming for a fifth consecutive Premier League title, City now find themselves battling simply to secure Champions League qualification.#newsafro_
