Pep Guardiola makes ‘quit’ admission if one specific transfer request isn’t granted
Pep Guardiola has revealed that he will quit his role as Manchester City manager if one specific request is not respected in the transfer market.
City put in a disappointing defence of their Premier League title, as Liverpool won the league with five games to spare.
Guardiola’s side also ended the season without a major trophy, after Crystal Palace beat Man City 1-0 in the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
However, the Citizens should secure a top-five finish on the final day, needing a draw away at Fulham to confirm their place in the Champions League.
Guardiola wants reduced squad
Man City put their FA Cup defeat behind them by beating Bournemouth 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, with goals from Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva and Nico.
However, the biggest news broke after the game, when Guardiola came out in his post-match press conference, revealing he would quit if his squad wasn’t reduced for next season.
As reported by the Daily Mail (21 May), the 54-year-old was bullish after City’s win, saying: “I told the club I don’t want a big squad. I don’t want to put five, six players in the [squad], I don’t want that. I will quit.
“If they don’t make a short squad, I will not stay. It’s impossible for my soul to put players in the tribune and cannot play.”
Departures to come at Man City
Football Insider Verdict
If Guardiola wants to ensure that he has a tight-knit group next season, then the Manchester side will have to let players go in the summer.
The Spaniard’s squad is already set to increase in size, with Man City close to the signing of Florian Wirtz from RB Leipzig, as well as Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
Of course, it is already confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne will be leaving the club at the end of the season, but more departures are necessary to grant Guardiola’s wish.
There are rumoured outgoings at the Etihad though, with Jack Grealish receiving interest from the Saudi League after a disappointing campaign.
| Games | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
| 20 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Guardiola is a man who chops and changes his starting XI regularly, so it is interesting that he wants to reduce the pool of players he has to pick from.
Either way, with Rodri returning and a summer overhaul expected, it would be naive to think that City won’t be back to somewhere near their best next season.