Guardiola Lays Down Festive Warning as Man City Stars Face Fitness Ultimatum

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a firm message to his squad ahead of the festive period, making it clear that standards will not drop despite the short Christmas break.

The Spaniard revealed that players have been monitored closely, including weight checks, and warned that anyone returning out of condition will be left out of the squad for City’s upcoming trip to Nottingham Forest.

Guardiola underlined his stance by refusing to grant his players a day off following Saturday’s 3–0 Premier League victory over West Ham. While the result marked City’s fifth consecutive league win and briefly took them to the top of the table, the manager remained dissatisfied with aspects of the performance and felt further work was required on the training ground.

City’s relentless schedule over the festive period leaves little room for complacency, and Guardiola is determined to maintain peak physical levels as the title race intensifies. With Arsenal setting the pace at the top, the City boss knows that any lapse in focus or fitness could prove costly in the weeks ahead.

Despite the comfortable scoreline against West Ham, Guardiola’s decision reflects his wider philosophy: success is built on consistency, discipline, and attention to detail. He has often stressed that marginal gains can make the difference in a tightly contested Premier League, particularly during the demanding winter calendar.

By setting clear expectations and backing them up with decisive action, Guardiola has once again reinforced his authority within the squad. As Manchester City prepare for another crucial run of fixtures, the message is unmistakable—professionalism is non-negotiable, and only those fully committed to maintaining the highest standards will feature in the team.