Pep: If the Man City team grows too big, I'll resign.

Pep Guardiola has stated that he will resign as manager of Manchester City if he is assigned a team that is too large for the upcoming campaign because he cannot stand to let many healthy players go.

 Following Kevin De Bruyne's final City home game in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, a number of senior players are contenders to follow the Belgian out of the door as City looks to rebuild an ageing squad come summertime.

Pep Guardiola has declared that if he is given a squad that is too big for the forthcoming season, he would step down as Manchester City's manager because he cannot bear to let go of so many fit players.

  As City tries to rebuild an ageing squad come summertime, several senior players are candidates to follow Kevin De Bruyne out the door after his final City home game in Tuesday's 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth.

Guardiola stated, "I told the club I didn't want that [a larger squad]."  Five or six players in the freezer is not something I want to do.  That is not what I desire.  I'll give up.  Cut the team down; I'll stay.

"My spirit cannot [inform] my players on the tribune that they are unable to play.

 "It happened now to add players right away.  We were unable to choose eleven players for perhaps three or four months since we lacked defenders.  People return after that, but it can't be that way the following season.

"I can't train 24 players as a manager, so every time I make a selection, I have to have four, five, or six players stay at home in Manchester because they can't play.  This will not take place.  "I don't want that," I told the club.

Guardiola stated that he would prefer to make up the numbers with academy players despite the season's injury issues, particularly the prolonged absence of Rodri, who made his first game since September as a second-half replacement on Tuesday night.

 According to his claim, City will need to reduce its roster before adding any new players during the upcoming transfer window.

 "If I have injuries, unlucky, we have some players for the academy and we do it," he stated.

 "[We] cannot sustain for the emotion of the club, the soul of the team, [to] create another connection with each other that this season we lost it a bit."

Is Pep now regretting what they spent in January?

Due to an injury crisis during the winter, Man City spent a lot of money in January after Guardiola demanded additions.

 "If we can, we have to add players, definitely," he stated on December 26.  We struggle, particularly in the middle and back.

 "I'm not sure what will happen after saying that.  Because it's difficult during the winter transfer window.  But everyone knows.

 "I think even the players asked us, 'We are going to add some players, please'."

Pep: Grealish's choice to arrive at the end of the season

According to Guardiola, a decision about Jack Grealish's future will be made at the conclusion of the current campaign.

 After playing a key role in the 2023 treble-winning campaign, the England international, who was signed for £100 million four years ago, has slid down the Etihad Stadium hierarchy.

 The 29-year-old did not come off the bench during Saturday's FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, and he has only made seven Premier League starts this season.

 That stoked rumours that he might leave this summer, but Guardiola maintains that no decisions have been made and that talks will be held between the player's agents, his successor, Hugo Viana, and departing director of football Txiki Begiristain.

Guardiola stated: "I didn't speak with him, and neither did we.  These items belong to the agents, the club, Txiki, and in this instance, Hugo, but people don't trust me.  Both will make the decision.

 "What is going to happen will happen, but he has to come back to start to play minutes again."

 Grealish, who has two years left on his contract, will not be pleased with his lack of activity, Guardiola acknowledges.

 "It's not [only] Jack," he remarked.  Not a single player in my locker room, or, I believe, any locker room worldwide, is content [when they] aren't playing.

"The squad must figure out how everything works while they are winning, but they are not happy about it.

 "They are here to play, and they are not happy when they aren't playing.  That is the standard stance in every club.