MANCHESTER, England -- Pep Guardiola said he would rather leave Manchester City than have to work with a bloated squad next season.
The City manager has begun to rebuild his team after the club's first trophyless campaign since 2017.
But he said Tuesday he had told the club that he will walk away rather than oversee an oversized squad.
"I said to the club I don't want that. I don't want to leave five or six players in the tribune," Guardiola said after the 3-1 win against Bournemouth. "I don't want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay. It's impossible for my soul to give [leave] my players in the tribune, that they cannot play."
Guardiola left James McAtee, Savinho and Rico Lewis out of his squad for Tuesday's Premier League game. He had to make similarly tough calls for Saturday's FA Cup final loss against Crystal Palace.
He has traditionally liked to work with a smaller squad, but a spate of injuries this season -- including knee surgery for Rodri -- severely hampered City's title defense, which unraveled by Christmas.
City spent more than $200 million in January to try to salvage the campaign, brining in Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
Guardiola is expected to make major signings in the offseason, with Kevin De Bruyne leaving as a free agent and Kyle Walker also likely to go, but has made it clear he wants to keep his squad numbers down.
"I don't want to have 24, 25, 26 players when everyone is fit," he said. "If I have injuries, unlucky. We have some players for the academy and we do it.
"[We] cannot sustain for the emotion of the club, the soul of the team, create another connection with each other that this season we lost it a bit."
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Forward Kosuke Kinoshita has scored 6 goals for the team so far this season and is the top scorer of the team. He is still the best choice to start in this game.2. Sanfrecce Hiroshima drew 0-0 with Shimizu S-Pulse in their last game, ending their winning streak. However, the team have achieved an unbeaten record of 4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 matches, sho...
[(Mallorca) Strength]: 1. Mallorca finished 10th in La Liga last season. This season, there have been few changes in their squad, and they have the potential to challenge for a place in European competitions. Facing FC Barcelona, despite knowing there is a gap in strength, Mallorca are striving to earn points and keep unbeaten, so they are motivated.2. Mallorca have signed new players in the summe...
[(Tottenham Hotspur F.C.) Strength]: 1. This time playing at home, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. are determined to win and secure a victorious start to the new season, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. Tottenham Hotspur F.C. underwent significant changes during the offseason, appointing Thomas Frank as their new head coach while bolstering the squad with quality signings including Mohammed Kud...
[(Sunderland A.F.C.) Strength]: 1. This is the first round of the new season's league. Sunderland A.F.C., playing at home, are determined to strive for a win to secure a good start. Their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda both scored double-digit goals in the league last season. In the new season, the two will still be important attacking forces for the team.3. S...
[(Villarreal) Strength]: 1. Villarreal are playing at home in the first game of the new season in the league and surely hope to have a good start. Their fighting spirit is very strong.2. Ayoze Perez scored 19 goals for Villarreal in the league last season, demonstrating an outstanding individual performance.3. During the off-season, Villarreal signed midfielders Alberto Moleiro, Tajon Buchanan and...
[(Kashima Antlers) Strength]: 1. Kashima Antlers currently have the same 47 points as Kashiwa Reysol, but they are at the top of the table by virtue of goal difference. The team are determined to secure all three points in this match to consolidate their top position and are highly motivated.2. Kyosuke Tagawa performed well in the last game. He scored the only goal of the match and helped his team...
[(Girona) Strength]: 1. This match marks the opening game of the new La Liga season. Girona, playing at home, are bound to strive for a win to get off to a good start, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. In the latest warm-up match against SSC Napoli, Christian Stuani scored two goals, demonstrating an excellent form.3. Girona played two warm-up matches at home during the off-season and a...
[(Liverpool F.C.) Strength]: 1. Liverpool F.C. won the English Premier League title last season and naturally are eager to defend their title in the new season. In the first match against AFC Bournemouth, Liverpool F.C. are striving for victory and have a high fighting spirit.2. Liverpool F.C. striker Mohamed Salah scored 29 goals in the English Premier League last season and won the Golden Boot.3...
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