Pep Guardiola Hopes Bernardo Silva Will Finish Career At Manchester City

Also Read

 

Pep Guardiola says he would like Bernardo Silva to end his playing career at Manchester City, but insists the final decision rests with the club captain.

Uncertainty over Silva’s future has intensified following comments from assistant coach Pep Lijnders, who suggested the midfielder’s nine-year stay at the club could come to an end this summer.

The 31-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has been linked with moves to FC Barcelona, Juventus, and clubs in Major League Soccer.

Guardiola, however, said no decision has been communicated to him by the player.

“I’m so grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said, ‘if you make a decision I have to be the first to know’, and he didn’t say anything to me yet,” Guardiola said.

“I think the proper one must be Bernardo. I don’t know if he has already decided. I said, jokingly, ‘tell me I deserve it’, but he didn’t tell me so I don’t know what’s going on.”

Lijnders made his remarks after City’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool FC, a match Guardiola missed due to a touchline ban.

“You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist,” Lijnders said. “But every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months — there are only six weeks — and has a good farewell.”

Silva joined Manchester City from AS Monaco in 2017 and recently made his 450th appearance during the EFL Cup final victory over Arsenal FC. He was appointed captain following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne.

Guardiola praised Silva’s influence, describing him as a key figure in the squad despite not fitting the traditional profile of a high-scoring or physically dominant player.

“For nine years, I have known him quite well and what a manager requires,” Guardiola said. “He is incredibly competitive and has a fire inside him always. In the toughest moments and on the biggest stages, he is always there.”

“He has been an incredible signing for us. I love this club and I would love if he could stay and finish his career here, but I do not know. He will decide what he will decide. It is his decision,” he added.