Pep Guardiola enforces 'strict discipline' at Christmas for Man City

Pep Guardiola once again demonstrates why he is regarded as one of the toughest managers in world football, as Manchester City enters a congested fixture schedule at the end of the year.

The Spanish tactician has made a firm decision to be strict: the entire squad must undergo a weight check on Christmas Day, and any player returning above the set weight limit risks being excluded from the matchday squad.

According to insiders at Man City, Pep Guardiola requires his players to have their physical condition assessed immediately after returning to training following a three-day holiday. This is not merely a formality but part of an extremely rigorous fitness control plan by the coach who has won six Premier League titles with Man City.

Pep Guardiola said: "As soon as they come back after three days off, I want to see how they return. They can eat, but I want to monitor them. I have to select the squad for the game against Nottingham Forest. Imagine a player who was in perfect shape but comes back three kilos heavier? He will stay in Manchester. He will not play, that’s for sure."- Pep Guardiola confirmed.

Pep Guardiola’s strictness does not surprise experts. Previously, he refused to give players a day off on Sunday, even though Man City had just beaten West Ham 3-0. Pep believed the performance was still insufficient, and the team needed to maintain an even higher intensity.

Manchester City briefly rose to the top of the Premier League table last weekend before Arsenal reclaimed the lead with a narrow win over Everton. This heightened Pep Guardiola’s awareness of the fierce title race, where even a small mistake in fitness or form can make a big difference.

The Spanish coach concluded with the philosophy that has guided him throughout his managerial career, from his early days at Barcelona B to his peak at Manchester City: "One of the traits of my teams is that we run a lot. But that is still not enough. We have to play better."- Pep Guardiola asserted.

In the context of an increasingly intense Premier League race, where every point can decide the entire season, Pep Guardiola’s strictness is a clear statementthat he will not tolerate any slackness, even during Christmas, which is usually considered a rare break for players.