Don’t want him”—Guardiola’s insists Manchester City needs a smaller squad to preserve harmony, morale, and his own sustainability as manager.

“Don’t want him”—Guardiola’s insists Manchester City needs a smaller squad to preserve harmony, morale, and his own sustainability as manager.

 

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“Don’t Want Him” – Guardiola’s Plea for a Lean, Motivated Squad

 

In a revealing exchange following Manchester City’s 3–1 Premier League win over Bournemouth in May 2025, Pep Guardiola delivered a blunt ultimatum: “Make a shorter squad, I will stay. Make it bigger, and I will quit.” His remark wasn’t just rhetorical—it stemmed from deep-seated frustration with handling a bloated roster, leaving several fit first-team members sidelined each weekend.

 

Guardiola explained how unreadily living with a large group of players who rarely feature is emotionally untenable. He said, *”It’s impossible for my soul to tell my players in the tribune [stands] that they cannot play.”* In practical terms, he highlighted the adverse psychological impact: sidelining five or six players per match breeds demotivation and fractures within the dressing room.

 

 

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Why a Lean Squad Matters for Guardiola

 

1. Emotional and Leadership Integrity

 

Guardiola simply can’t reconcile training a large group while leaving several at home each week. He described it not as a tactical inconvenience, but a crisis of conscience—for both manager and players. Saying goodbye to Kevin De Bruyne and seeing uncertainty around Jack Grealish only intensified his resolve.

 

2. Preserving Team Cohesion

 

A leaner squad fosters stronger collective spirit. Too many players risk disjointed training sessions and reduced unity. Guardiola emphasized that a smaller group helps rebuild the “soul of the team,” which he felt had frayed.

 

3. Philosophical Consistency

 

Guardiola has long preferred compact squads. In the 2022–23 season, for example, he purposely kept his roster at around 20 senior players, trusting versatility and unity over depth. He believes that each additional player introduced dilutes rhythm, continuity, and coach-player connection.

 

In past comments, he noted: *“If 14 don’t play for a long time, I don’t want to be manager… That’s why when you recruit, you have to look for players who can play in two or three positions.”*

 

4. Balancing Depth with Flexibility

 

Despite setbacks in the 2024–25 season—with Rodri out for months, squad injuries piling up, and transfers needed in January—Guardiola maintained that longer-term squad bloat is not the answer. Instead, he prefers academy call-ups during crises, not permanent roster expansion.

 

 

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Repercussions and Wider Context

 

January Spending vs. Long-Term Structure

 

City spent over £200 million in the January window to patch defensive and midfield gaps—signaling that, while injury crises may necessitate mid-season additions, the objective should always be to return to a leaner setup when possible.

 

Managerial Warning

 

Guardiola didn’t tone down his language: “Make a shorter squad, I will stay.” Conversely, “I will quit” followed if the squad isn’t trimmed for the next season. It’s a rare public ultimatum emphasizing his seriousness.

 

Impacts on Player Futures

 

As a result, several fringe players—like Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri, and Rico Lewis—found themselves excluded from matchday squads. Decisions on transfers and loans are likely influenced by Guardiola’s stance.

 

 

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Looking Ahead: Strategic Leaning of the Squad

 

Guardiola is championing a future where:

 

Vertical integration, not expansion, defines squad building. Academy players fill gaps.

 

Versatility is vital; recruited players must adapt across roles.

 

Depth is strategic, used only when needed—not pre-emptively stocked.

 

Emotional cohesion reigns supreme; players left behind don’t spiral into disillusion.

 

 

The message is clear: players aren’t assets to be archived—they should contribute. Without that ethos, Guardiola sees coaching as unsustainable.

 

 

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Conclusion

 

Pep Guardiola’s emphatic “Don’t want him” line encapsulates a fundamental footballing and managerial principle: excellence thrives in harmony, not mass. For him, success is not having just enough options—it’s ensuring every option matters. He’s drawing a line: limit the squad, preserve purpose—and keep leading City. Ignore this, and he’s ready to walk away from the club he’s shaped into a global powerhouse.