Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has threatened to resign if his unquestionable demand for the number of players in the squad for next season is not met.
Managers typically prefer to have a large squad due to the pressure of fixtures. City, for example, will be playing in four domestic and continental competitions next season. However, Guardiola wants to have as small a squad as possible.
Guardiola said in a media statement, “I told the board that I don’t want a full squad next season. If that happens, I will resign.”
He added, “I don’t want to put five or six players in the stands every game without them playing. It exhausts me psychologically. I don’t want that many players.”
He concluded, “I want a small squad that is easy to train and integrate into the team. That’s what we’ve lost a bit this season. Players staying at home week after week is unhealthy for the team. Players must compete with each other in the appropriate number.”
Given Guardiola’s career with City, his statement seems logical. All of his successful seasons have been made with a squad of 19 or even 20 players. This season, his worst, has seen the squad increase to 25 players against his will.
