Pep Guardiola told Man City they were 'a team full of FAT players' when he took charge in 2016, reveals Gael Clichy as he reflects on manager's hilarious first words to the squad

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Former Man City left-back Gael Clichy has revealed that Pep Guardiola had some rather savage first words for the team when he took charge in 2016.

Clichy was a member of the squad that Guardiola inherited and says the Spanish manager quickly made it clear that things were going to change at the club.

It was an ageing squad and Guardiola had been watching them closely in the 12 months that led up to his arrival.  

In a conversation with Zack Nani, Clichy claims Guardiola told the players '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. 

Gael Clichy (left) has revealed that Pep Guardiola called City's players fat when he took over 

'If you stay, I don't want to hear a single word about it until winter transfer window.'

Clichy lasted just one year under Guardiola before departing for the Turkish league. 

The Frenchman has previously shed light on Guardiola's strict weight policy at the Etihad - claiming he has a two kilogram rule that decides if a player is too overweight to train with the squad.

Guardiola is known for banishing players who return to his squad overweight - with Sergio Aguero and Kalvin Phillips falling foul of his regulations in the past.

The Spaniard - who has won 37 trophies across his glittering managerial career, but part of that success has come with discipline and ensuring his players are at the highest standards possible.

Clichy previously revealed how Guardiola has a two kilogram rule to decide if a player is fit

'If you weighed two kilos more than what he considered your maximum weight, you didn't train,' Clichy told Marca.

'In football, you always hear coaches say: 'If you're overweight, you don't train.' In the end, if it's an important player, the norm is swept under the rug because they need that player.

'With Pep Guardiola, if you were two kilos above the weight you should have after finishing the hard work and proper nutrition of the preseason, you did not train. I saw players who did not train during two weeks.'