The ongoing season may have been too much for head coach Pep Guardiola, who claimed to have given Man City an ultimatum over his stay at the Etihad next season.
With only one match left in the season, Man City aim for a top-five finish in the Premier League to secure a Champions League qualification for the next campaign.
Following their 3-1 win against Bournemouth on May 20, at Etihad Stadium, Man City moved up to the third rank in the league table with 68 points.
Speaking after the recent victory, Guardiola revealed that he had told club authorities what he does not 'want' in order to continue at Man City.
What did Pep Guardiola tell Man City?
Despite dealing with multiple injuries throughout the season and having key players sidelined, Guardiola has made it clear that he does not want a bigger squad to manage at Man City. He also mentioned (comments via BBC Sport) that he does not like leaving out players from the squad on matchdays.
"I said to the club I don't want that [a bigger squad]. I don't want to leave five or six players in the freezer. I don't want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay. It's impossible for my soul to [tell] my players in the tribune [stands] that they cannot play," he said.
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"Maybe [for] three, four months we couldn't select 11 players, we didn't have defenders, it was so difficult. After, people came back, but next season it cannot be like that. As a manager I cannot train 24 players and every time I select I have to have four, five, six stay in Manchester at home because they cannot play. This is not going to happen. I said to the club, I don't want that," concluded Guardiola.
Earlier this month, Guardiola revealed that he would 'take a break' after his current contract at Man City expires. The Catalan manager is contracted to stay at the Etihad until the summer of 2027.
Guardiola & Co. are pitted against Fulham in their last Premier League game of the season on May 25, at Craven Cottage.
Man City news and related links
- Kevin De Bruyne makes thoughts clear on Man City Club World Cup decision
- Pep Guardiola trophies won as manager: List of titles with Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich
- Pep Guardiola opens up on England star's future with Man City