Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a stern message to his squad, emphasizing that any player returning from the short Christmas break with excess weight will be excluded from the team's Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest on December 27, 2025.
The Catalan coach, renowned for his meticulous approach to player conditioning and discipline, revealed that the entire squad was weighed prior to their brief holiday period following a 3-0 victory over West Ham United on December 20, 2025. Guardiola plans to personally oversee a re-weigh upon their return to training on Christmas Day, December 25, to ensure standards are maintained during the demanding festive schedule.
In post-match comments, Guardiola stated: "Every player makes a weight [before the break]. They come back on the 25th and I will be there controlling how many kilos come up... They come fatty... The moment they arrive after three days, I want to see how they come back. They can eat at Christmas, but I want to control them."
He further illustrated the consequences: "I have to make a selection for the 27th against Nottingham Forest. Imagine one player who is now perfect arrives with three kilos more — he will stay in Manchester. He won’t travel to Nottingham Forest, that’s for sure."
This no-nonsense stance aligns with Guardiola's long-standing reputation for enforcing rigorous fitness protocols. Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, the 54-year-old has guided City to six Premier League titles, including four consecutive triumphs from 2020-21 to 2023-24, alongside a Treble in 2022-23. His methods often include close monitoring of diet and physical condition, as evidenced by past incidents where players faced repercussions for not meeting targets.
Guardiola's approach comes amid a tightly contested Premier League title race. Manchester City currently sit second in the table, two points behind leaders Arsenal, following their comprehensive win over West Ham, where Erling Haaland scored twice. The victory kept pressure on the Gunners, who secured a narrow win earlier that day.
Despite the positive result, Guardiola expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of his team's performance, refusing players' requests for an additional day off on Sunday. "The players asked me to take a day off [on Sunday], I said, no, because you didn't play good enough," he noted. Instead, the day was used for recovery sessions and training non-starters, before granting a three-day break.
The upcoming match at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest marks City's final fixture of the 2025 calendar year, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 UK time. Forest, under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, have shown resilience this season but face a formidable challenge against a City side aiming to close the gap at the top.
Guardiola balanced his strict warning with acknowledgment of the need for rest in the congested English football calendar. "I’ve learned in England that as many days off as you can give, you give them," he said, adding that players must "switch off" to stay fresh. The manager himself plans to spend the break in Barcelona with family.
This incident echoes previous episodes under Guardiola's tenure. In 2016, upon his arrival, he temporarily excluded players from first-team training until they met weight requirements. More notably, in 2023, he publicly commented on midfielder Kalvin Phillips returning "overweight" from the 2022 World Cup, later apologizing for the remark.
Guardiola's emphasis on marginal gains—such as weight management—underscores his philosophy that small details determine success in high-stakes competitions. With City also advancing in domestic cups and performing strongly in Europe, maintaining peak physical condition is paramount during the hectic winter period, which often features multiple games in quick succession.
The comments have sparked discussion among fans and pundits about the balance between player welfare and elite-level demands. While some praise Guardiola's uncompromising standards for contributing to City's dominance, others highlight the intense pressure on modern footballers.
As the squad enjoys a rare short respite, Guardiola's words serve as a reminder that, even over Christmas, professionalism remains non-negotiable at the highest level.
