Pep Guardiola has never been a manager who bends easily. From Barcelona to Bayern Munich and now Manchester City, one thing has followed him everywhere: discipline comes first. Talent matters, money matters, trophies matter, but discipline is the foundation. And now, once again, Pep has shown that no player is bigger than his rules, not even inside a star-filled Manchester City dressing room.
In the last few days, a breaking story has shaken the Etihad Stadium. Reports claim Pep Guardiola has drawn a very clear line and decided that two Manchester City players are on their way out. Not because of lack of ability. Not because of age. Not because of form alone. But because of attitude. Training attitude. Professional attitude. And refusal to follow instructions given by the coaching staff and the club.
For Pep Guardiola, this is not a small issue. It is a red line. And once that line is crossed, there is rarely a way back.
Inside Manchester City, the mood has changed. What looked like a normal season has suddenly turned tense. Players are talking. Staff are watching closely. Fans are arguing online. And the message from Pep is loud and clear: if you are not fully committed every single day, you will not survive under him.
Sources close to the club say Guardiola has grown increasingly frustrated over what he sees as “cheap” training attitudes from two players. Training sessions, which Pep treats like matchdays, have not met his standards. Intensity has dropped. Focus has slipped. And even worse, instructions meant to improve performance and fitness were reportedly ignored or resisted.
Pep believes training is sacred. He has always said that matches are just a reflection of what happens during the week. If a player cuts corners in training, Pep believes they will cost the team in big moments. This belief has shaped his entire career. At Barcelona, he sold Ronaldinho and Deco despite their fame. At Bayern, he fell out with senior players who questioned his methods. At City, he has already pushed out big names who failed to buy into his vision. This latest situation feels like another chapter in that long story.
What makes this case even more serious is the timing. Manchester City are not in crisis on the pitch, but they are at a delicate moment. Squad renewal is already underway. Younger players are pushing for chances. The club is planning for the future while still fighting to win everything in the present. In moments like this, Guardiola wants absolute unity. Anyone who breaks that unity becomes a problem.
According to reports, the two players involved were given clear instructions to make specific changes. These changes were not optional. They were part of Guardiola’s plan to keep the squad sharp, hungry, and evolving. When those instructions were not followed properly, alarms started ringing.
Pep is known for watching everything. He notices body language. He notices effort levels. He notices small details others miss. A late sprint not made. A drill taken lightly. A reaction that shows frustration instead of hunger. Over time, these things add up. And when Pep decides a player is no longer aligned with his ideas, the relationship usually ends quickly.
Inside the dressing room, this decision has sent shockwaves. Manchester City’s squad is full of experienced internationals who know how ruthless elite football can be. Still, seeing the manager ready to sell players purely on attitude has reminded everyone that nothing is guaranteed.
Some players are said to fully support Guardiola. They see his standards as the reason City have dominated English football. They believe that without strict discipline, success fades quickly. Others, however, are reportedly uncomfortable. They fear that one bad period or misunderstanding could put their future at risk. This tension is now part of daily life at the club.
For the fans, the reaction has been mixed. A large group supports Pep completely. They argue that Manchester City’s success was built on hunger, work rate, and total commitment. They believe that players who lose that edge should be moved on quickly, no matter their name or price tag.
Another group worries about instability. They fear that selling players too quickly could weaken squad depth or damage morale. They ask whether Guardiola’s standards are sometimes too extreme. They wonder if modern football, with its packed schedules and mental pressure, requires more flexibility. But Guardiola has never managed by public opinion. He manages by conviction.
From Pep’s point of view, discipline is not punishment. It is protection. He believes that allowing small attitude problems to continue will poison the entire squad. One player training poorly today becomes two tomorrow, then three. Soon, standards drop across the board. Guardiola has seen this happen before, and he refuses to let it happen again.
Manchester City’s board is said to support him fully. This is important. Guardiola would not take such a strong step without backing from above. The club’s leadership understands that Pep’s authority must remain absolute if his project is to continue successfully.
Selling two players is not just about removing problems. It is also about sending a message. A message to the rest of the squad. A message to future signings. And a message to the football world. The message is simple: at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, effort is non-negotiable.
The players involved have not been officially named, but speculation is already everywhere. Social media is full of theories. Every missed training photo, every bench appearance, every unexplained absence is being analysed. Fans are trying to read Pep’s body language in press conferences. Journalists are digging for clues. This uncertainty adds to the drama.
For the players themselves, this is a brutal moment. Being told by Guardiola that your attitude is no longer acceptable is close to a professional death sentence at City. Even if they stay temporarily, their role will likely shrink. Minutes will disappear. Confidence will drop. And eventually, a move becomes inevitable.
Other clubs are already watching closely. In modern football, talent always finds buyers. If these players are sold, there will be no shortage of interest. But leaving City under these circumstances can damage a player’s reputation. Questions about attitude follow you everywhere. Pep knows this. And that is why his decision carries so much weight.
This situation also fits into a bigger picture. Manchester City are slowly entering a new phase. Several core players are ageing. Young talents are arriving. Pep himself has hinted that he does not want to stay forever. To prepare for the future, he wants a squad full of players who are mentally strong, flexible, and hungry to learn. Anyone who resists change does not fit that future.
In Guardiola’s system, players are constantly asked to adapt. New positions. New roles. New responsibilities. This can be exhausting. Some players love it. Others struggle. Over time, frustration can turn into resistance. And resistance, in Pep’s world, is the beginning of the end. Training attitude is where this resistance becomes visible.
Guardiola often says that training sessions are where his team truly competes. He designs them to be intense, detailed, and mentally demanding. Players who treat training as a routine rather than a battle stand out immediately. Pep sees that as disrespect to teammates who give everything. That is why he reacts so strongly.
For Manchester City, this decision could reshape the squad in the coming months. Selling two players opens space. It creates room for new signings or academy promotions. It refreshes competition within the team. But it also carries risk. Losing experienced players can affect leadership and depth, especially in long seasons filled with injuries and fatigue. Pep accepts this risk. Healways has.
Looking back, many of Guardiola’s toughest decisions were questioned at the time and praised later. Selling popular players often led to short-term criticism but long-term success. He trusts that pattern.
The coming weeks will be crucial. If the players are sold quickly, it will confirm how serious Pep is. If they stay but remain on the fringes, the message will still be clear. Either way, Manchester City will not return to business as usual. This is Pep Guardiola reminding everyone who he is.
He is not just a tactician. He is not just a winner. He is a culture builder. And culture, once damaged, must be protected at all costs.
For the rest of the squad, the warning could not be clearer. Train hard. Listen. Adapt. Or prepare to leave. For the fans, this moment may define the next chapter of Guardiola’s reign. Will his strict approach keep City at the top? Or will it create cracks that others can exploit?
Only time will answer that question.
But one thing is certain. Pep Guardiola has drawn a line. And once he draws a line, very few players are allowed to cross it and stay.
At Manchester City, discipline has always come first. And once again, Pep Guardiola is proving that no matter your name, your price, or your past achievements, the rules remain the same.
