Gael Clichy has revealed Pep Guardiola's savage message to his Manchester City players after taking over the top job.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich gaffer arrived in England back in 2016 and was quick to let the squad he was inheriting know exactly how he felt and how things were going to work under his watch. Clichy - who also starred for Arsenal in England's top flight - alleges the Spaniard told his new crop that he had been watching them for 12 months and that they were overweight.
In a conversation with Zack Nani, the Daily Mail reports that Clichy claimed that Guardiola told the team: 'I've known that I've been coming here for a year now and I've been watching you, you're a team full of fat players. With me, no player is going to be playing every game… deal with it. If you're not happy with that, come knock on my door and we'll make you leave. If you stay, I don't want to hear a single word about it until winter transfer window."
Guardiola has been hugely successful in his managerial career to date and that has bene no different with Man City. His side are currently battling to retain their English Premier League crown this season while they also have an FA Cup Final against rivals Manchester United on the horizon.
Last season, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Co won a historic Treble after their Champions League success over Inter Milan. They tasted European success alongside the league and FA Cup and had the chance to repeat that feat this season. However, Real Madrid - who are serial winners of Europe's top club prize - eliminated City on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the
Arsenal
Barcelona
man
STARS
UPS
Inside
Citi
Kevin De-Bruyne