- Pep Guardiola has laid out his demands ahead of Man City’s summer re-build
- City are preparing to bid farewell to long-serving midfielder Kevin De Bruyne
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Should Oliver Glasner leave Palace for Spurs?
Pep Guardiola has shockingly threatened to quit Manchester City this summer as he laid out his summer demands to his bosses.
City have endured a campaign to forget after falling far beneath their typical perch atop the Premier League table and finding themselves third in the league, with a summer rebuild expected.
The former champions were left in the dust by Liverpool and Arsenal in the title race and – as ther prepare to bid farewell to Kevin De Bruyne – are hoping to strengthen during the upcoming transfer window.
Ahead of that crucial period, Guardiola has outlined his demands to the club hierarchy and revealed what it will take to keep him at the club.
Speaking on Tuesday night: ‘I told the club I don’t want a big squad. I don’t want to put five, six players in the [squad], I don’t want that. I will quit’.
‘If they don’t make a short squad, I will not stay. It’s impossible for my soul to put players in the tribune and cannot play’.
Pep Guardiola is preparing to lead Man City through a summer re-build after a difficult year
City will bid farewell to Kevin De Bruyne (middle) after a 10-year tenure with the club
Mail Sport recently reported that City had withdrawn from the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz over the high price-tag on the German star.
City had identified the Germany international as the perfect successor to the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to walk out at the Etihad Stadium for the final time on Tuesday night.
Club chiefs had held talks with Wirtz’s camp but have withdrawn from the running, with Bayern Munich and Liverpool both keen on the 22-year-old’s signature.
City say that the deal to land Wirtz would be the largest in the club’s history and potentially topping £250million with wages and bonuses.
Meanwhile, earlier in the night, Guardiola broke down in tears as Kevin De Bruyne waved goodbye to the Etihad following his final game there as a City player.
The club opted against renewing his contract for next season, meaning the Belgian midfielder will depart the club after a decade that saw him win a wealth of honours including the Champions League and six Premier League titles.
De Bruyne, who played 421 times for the club, missed a sitter in his final game at the ground he has called home for so long, blazing his effort on to the crossbar from just yards out. But he did not let that spoil his goodbye after the match.
As the lights went out inside the ground, De Bruyne, alongside his wife Michele Lacroix and their three children – Mason, Rome and Suri – took to the pitch for the final time as the fans sang his name.
Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz
City players and officials gave him a guard of honour as he made his way to the centre circle, surrounded by fireworks and smaller lights. He stopped the clap the fans in attendance as Guardiola watched on.
It was then he was interviewed and asked how the reception made him feel, to which he replied: ‘Very emotional.’
Guardiola was then seen in tears, as De Bruyne took a moment to collect his thoughts.
A handful of former team-mates then appeared on the big screens in the ground to send messages of goodwill, including the likes of Sergio Aguero and Riyad Mahrez.
