Pep Guardiola has issued a stark warning about his Manchester City future, stating he may reconsider his position if forced to consistently exclude multiple first-team players next season.

The Catalan manager expressed discomfort with his current selection dilemmas, emphasising: “I cannot bear leaving five or six quality players frozen out every match day – it goes against my principles as a coach.”

Guardiola’s comments come amid reports of Manchester City pursuing additional signings this summer, which could see their squad expand beyond its current 22 senior outfield players. The four-time Premier League winning manager has historically preferred working with compact squads, having famously operated with just 19 senior players during Barcelona’s 2010-11 Champions League-winning campaign.

This season alone, Guardiola has already been forced to omit high-profile internationals like Kalvin Phillips and occasionally Jack Grealish from matchday squads despite their full fitness – a situation he describes as “professionally painful.”

The City manager’s stance presents a significant challenge for City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain, who must balance squad reinforcement with Guardiola’s well-documented preference for lean, manageable group sizes.

Guardiola’s ultimatum carries particular weight given his contract expires in 2025, with the club hoping to extend his seven-year tenure. His remarks suggest City’s transfer strategy this summer could prove pivotal in determining whether the most successful manager in club history commits long-term or begins contemplating an earlier departure.

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