Pep Guardiola Manchester City exit 2025 talks are heating up after the manager admitted he could walk away from the club if his demand for a smaller squad is not met this summer. Guardiola was forced to omit five fit players for City’s 3–1 win over Bournemouth—something he says he refuses to accept next season.
The Premier League champions face a pivotal summer, with key figures like Kevin De Bruyne already confirmed to leave. Guardiola, visibly frustrated, wants the club to avoid another bloated roster and prioritize emotional cohesion within the squad.
Guardiola in December: “We Need a 30-Man Squad”
Back on December 15, 2024, Guardiola insisted that Manchester City would need a 25–30 player squad next season, citing the financial challenges of competing with Chelsea:
“Chelsea already have the squad… but from next season, our squad also has to be 25 or 30 players! How do you sustain financially? We won’t have revenues, impossible! Why do we have revenue this season? We sold a lot!” — Pep Guardiola, December 2024
This contradiction raises questions about how City will balance squad depth, player satisfaction, and financial fair play.
Guardiola: “I Will Quit” If Squad Size Isn’t Reduced
“I said to the club I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay.” — Pep Guardiola
The Man City boss expressed discomfort over regularly leaving 5–6 players out of matchday squads, calling it unsustainable both technically and emotionally.
Why Guardiola Is Fed Up With Squad Depth in 2025
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Squad Size | 24+ senior players |
| FA Cup Absentees | Rico Lewis, Savinho, McAtee, Echeverri, Khusanov |
| Guardiola’s Demand | Smaller, more manageable squad for 2025/26 |
The shift from advocating for depth to demanding a leaner squad comes after having to leave Rico Lewis, Savinho, McAtee, Echeverri, and Khusanov out against Bournemouth.
What About Jack Grealish?
Grealish’s future remains uncertain. The £100m man has struggled for minutes in 2025 and may be among those offloaded if Guardiola gets his way.
“He has to come back and start to play minutes again… What is going to happen will happen.” — Guardiola on Grealish
Pep Guardiola Manchester City Exit 2025
- Guardiola Flip-Flops: Wanted a 30-man squad in December, now demands fewer than 24
- Exit Threat Looms: Will quit if squad remains oversized
- Emotional Strain: Says freezing players out "hurts the soul of the team"
- Grealish at Risk: Could be one of the first to go in Guardiola’s squad trim
What’s Next?
The board now faces a critical choice: meet Guardiola’s request or risk his departure. With Kevin De Bruyne already confirmed to leave and tension rising, Manchester City’s summer could be one of their most defining yet.
Should Man City back Pep’s demand or keep a deep squad for European battles?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments and share this update with City fans.
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 21 May 2025 10:10
he has 2 faces! First he wanted the same depth as Chelsea due to the amount of games to play, now he says this..
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