Reduce squad size or I'll quit: Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has threatened to leave Manchester City if his squad isn't reduced. He finds it "impossible for my soul" to leave players out.

Several senior players missed the matchday squad for Tuesday's 3-1 win against Bournemouth. Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri, and Rico Lewis were not included. Despite the victory, Guardiola is unhappy with the current situation.

Guardiola wants a smaller squad next season. He stated, "I don't want a bigger squad." He added that he doesn't want to leave five or six players out of games. If this continues, he will quit.

He expressed difficulty in leaving players out of the matchday squad. "For three or four months we couldn't select 11 players," he said. After some injuries healed, he still wants changes for next season.

City spent over £200 million on four new players in January. Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis joined the team. Echeverri also signed after a loan at River Plate.

Kevin de Bruyne is confirmed to leave City this summer. The future of Jack Grealish is uncertain as well. Guardiola was asked about more exits and said it's up to the club.

He prefers not to have 24 or more fit players in his squad. Injuries happen, but they can use academy players if needed. A large squad is unsustainable for him.

Guardiola believes it's important for team chemistry that players connect better than this season. Premier League clubs can name a 25-man squad but can include under-21s beyond that limit.

Manchester City's website lists 28 first-team members and four on loan elsewhere. In contrast, Chelsea has 31 players listed and many on loan too. Arsenal has only 24 players while Liverpool and others have around 25 each.