‘Pep Guardiola to axe four Man City stars’ after ‘puzzling’ update
Man City are set to undergo major squad surgery this summer after ending their campaign without a trophy for the first time in seven seasons.
Manager Pep Guardiola issued a shocking ultimatum before his team’s final game of the Premier League season at Fulham.
When asked about having to leave players out of the matchday squad, Guardiola said: “I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay. It’s impossible.”
Stars like Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri and Rico Lewis were all omitted for the home win over Bournemouth, before Jack Grelalish was excluded entirely at Craven Cottage.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted Guardiola’s comments could have a big impact on the summer window, which will see Hugo Viana come in as the club’s new sporting director.
Man City could seal ‘two special incomings’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested as many as four players could leave with “one or two very special incomings” on the cards.
City’s trophyless season was their first since 2016-17 – which was Guardiola’s maiden campaign in the Man City dugout.
| Competition | Winners |
| Premier League | 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 |
| FA Cup | 2018-19, 2022-23 |
| Carabao Cup | 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 |
| FA Community Shield | 2018, 2019, 2024 |
| Champions League | 2022-23 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 2023 |
| Club World Cup | 2023 |
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think Guardiola’s comments will impact this summer’s dealings.
“It will mean that there’ll be some outgoings and maybe just one or two very special incomings, which is why I’m surprised Florian Wirtz appears to be going to Liverpool rather than to Man City.
“It’s not exactly the biggest squad, but we’re looking at possibly three or four that are going to leave if we believe what Pep’s saying – especially if there’s going to be a couple of incomings.
“It’s a puzzle, and we’ll see how Pep pieces it together.”
Grealish drops Man City bombshell
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (22 May) that Jack Grealish has told friends he does not expect to be at Man City next season.
Grealish has confided to those close to him that he believes he has been “frozen out” by Guardiola because the manager wants him to seek a move.
One huge complication in any exit is the attacking midfielder’s wages, which Football Insider understands to be worth £350,000-a-week.
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