Man City Squad Shake-Up: Pep Threatens Quit Over Bloat

’s stunning threat to quit Manchester City unless the squad is trimmed has sent shockwaves through the Etihad. 

With a bloated 26-man roster, injuries, and a trophyless season, City’s rebuild hinges on radical changes to the man city squad.

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Pep’s Guardiola Ultimatum

Pep Guardiola’s explosive statement after the 3-1 win over Bournemouth wasn’t just a tactical plea—it was a philosophical declaration.

“I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay,” he declared, pointing to players like James McAtee and Savinho left out of the matchday squad .

This isn’t a new stance for the Spaniard, who has long preferred a tight-knit group (20-22 players) over a sprawling roster.

But this season’s 26-man man city squad—compounded by January’s £200m spending spree—has pushed him to the brink.

Guardiola’s frustration is rooted in the emotional toll of sidelining players.

“It’s impossible for my soul to leave players in the tribune,” he said, highlighting how surplus numbers erode team cohesion.

This isn’t just about tactics; it’s about trust. When players like Rico Lewis (20) and Abdukodir Khusanov (21)—both £50m investments—sit unused, it sends a message: the man city squad has lost its purpose.

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2024-25 Man City Squad Collapsed

Injuries: The Domino Effect

The man city squad was crippled by bad luck. Rodri’s ACL injury (September 2024) left a void in midfield, forcing Guardiola to experiment with Bernardo Silva as a makeshift defensive midfielder—a move that backfired spectacularly. 

Without Rodri’s intercepting (83% success rate pre-injury), City conceded 43 league goals, up from 32 the previous season.

Meanwhile, Haaland’s six-week absence in March triggered a scoring drought: 3 goals in 12 games post-return.

Tactical Rigidity vs. Squad Depth

Guardiola’s insistence on a rigid 4-3-3, even with a bloated man city squad, became his undoing.

The system prioritized possession (61.1% avg.) over penetration, leading to a league-worst 10.5% shot conversion rate .

 For example, against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final, City dominated 65% possession but managed just 6 shots on target from 23 attempts .

The man city squad had the tools (Haaland, Doku, Grealish) but lacked the flexibility to adapt.

Transfer Market Missteps

The January window summed up City’s struggles. £200m spent on four players—including £65m for Nico González—failed to address core issues.

González, a promising winger, was benched after his debut, while Omar Marmoush (£45m) scored just 2 goals in 18 appearances.

Meanwhile, key departures like Álvarez (sold to Atlético Madrid) left a gaping hole in creativity.

The Argentine has since contributed 15 goals and 12 assists for his new club.

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A Trophyless Season and Its Cost

For the first time since 2017, City ended the season empty-handed. The man city squad’s flaws were laid bare:

• Attack: Haaland, despite 28 goals, saw his touch count drop by 19% and duel success rate fall from 62% to 45%.

• Defense: A leaky backline conceded 0.8 goals per game from counterattacks—a 60% increase from the previous season .

• Mental Edge: The man city squad crumbled in big games, losing 5 of 8 matches against top-six teams.

The fallout? A fan protest outside the Etihad, chants of “We need answers,” and Guardiola’s authority questioned.

Man City Squad Size vs. Performance (2023-2025)

Rebuilding the Man City Squad

Slashing the Roster

Guardiola wants a 20-22 player squad. That means offloading at least 5 players this summer.

Likely exits include Jack Grealish (£50m valuation), Kyle Walker (linked to Saudi), and Ederson (rumored move to Al-Hilal).

Targeted Signings

• Midfield Reinforcements: With De Bruyne leaving, City are eyeing Dani Olmo (Barcelona, £85m) and Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern, £60m) to inject youth and versatility.

• Defensive Overhaul: A £50m bid for Juventus’ right-back Andrea Cambiaso could fix the leaky flank, while Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong (£50m) offers pace.

Youth Revolution

Guardiola is pushing for more academy integration. Players like Cole Palmer (21) and Claudio Echeverri (19) will get extended roles, while Rico Lewis and James McAtee are earmarked for key positions.

Tactical Tweaks

A shift toward faster transitions and direct play is inevitable. Guardiola has hinted at a 4-2-3-1 to accommodate Haaland’s strengths, with Olmo or Gravenberch acting as a link between midfield and attack.

Read More: Pep Guardiola’s 2025 Tactical Revolution – Why It Matters

Can City Save Their Season—and Pep?

The next days will define City’s future. With De Bruyne’s statue confirmed and Guardiola’s contract extension hanging in the balance, the club must act decisively.

The man city squad needs not just new faces but a reset in culture. As Guardiola bluntly put it: “We lost the connection this season. A smaller squad can fix that”.

Guardiola’s ultimatum isn’t a threat—it’s a plea for sanity.

The man city squad has become a victim of its own success, and trimming the fat might just be the only way to regain its soul.

Also Read: Pep Guardiola tells Man City: I want a smaller squad or I'll quit