Pep Guardiola demands Christmas Day weigh-in for players due to 'fatty' fears

Martin Macdonald

• 22 Dec 2025 09:01 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has vowed to weigh all of his players on Christmas Day so they don't overdo the chocolate and turkey in the festive period.

On Saturday, Guardiola's men comfortably defeated West Ham at home thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland and an additional strike from Tijjani Reijnders.

Despite winning the match in routine fashion, the Man City boss wasn't happy with the performance and denied them a day off on Sunday.

They will be off from Monday to Wednesday but discipline will be required to maintain their fitness as they will all be weighed on the 25th of December.

Just another steak at the office for Erling Haaland. 🤷🏼‍♂️😂🥩 pic.twitter.com/rb7sekUfPi

— mcfc lads (@mcfc_lads) December 20, 2025

“The players asked me to take a day off tomorrow, I said, no, because you didn’t play good enough," he told reporters.

“Yesterday, they were weighed and everything was perfect, but when they come back on the 25th, they will be weighed again to see if they come back fatty. The moment they arrive after three days [off] I want to see how they come back. I will be there controlling how many kilos come up.”

Guardiola has threatened to leave any player who has gained too much weight in Manchester for Saturday's match against Nottingham Forest, though that doesn't mean he won't be enjoying himself on a trip back to Barcelona.

“They can eat, but I want to control them," Pep added.

"I have to make a selection on the 27th. If one player is fit now but arrives back with three kilos more, he will [stay] in Manchester. He will not travel to Nottingham Forest.

“Tomorrow I’m going to Barcelona. I recommend you to come there too, the food is top. I will be with my family and with champagne.”

The legendary coach admits that he is a "disaster" at points when it comes to his demands over his players, which is why he's allowing them a few days with their families.

“Do you know what it’s like for the players to see the manager every day? It’s so tough," he explained.

"The players have to go with their families and forget football.”

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