Captain of Manchester City, Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho surprised his coach Pep Guardiola by declaring this Tuesday that he plans to leave of the English champion team at the end of the season.
The former Brazilian international, 36, who won four Premier League titles since joining City in 2013 from Shakhtar Donetsk, he revealed his intentions at a press conference ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday at Atlético Madrid.
Fernandinho, who was asked if he wanted to extend his stay at the Etihad for an extra year, replied: “I think no”.
Guardiola, who was next to the midfielder, was taken by surprise by his captain’s announcement. “Oh! I didn’t know. You’re breaking the news to me,” he declared.
“I don’t know what will happen. He is very important. I’m going to ask him,” insisted the Spaniard, who indicated that he would be “happy” if his player backed down on his decision.
Guardiola stated that Fernandinho he has been “an incredible player for Manchester City”.
“At the end of the season, we’ll talk, maybe it’s because of his family,” added the coach.
– Guardiola’s confidence –
Fernandinho started for the last time with the ‘Citizens’ in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, played at home against Sporting Lisbon at the beginning of March, but Guardiola assured that he is still an essential figure of the club.
“When I arrived (in 2016), he was already there, like Raheem (Sterling), Kevin (de Bruyne), John (Stones), some players… We know each other very well (…) He has done incredible things (for the team), things that no one else has done, “he said. Coach.
Fernandinho took the floor on social networks to clarify his comments. “I have been 100% honest and spontaneous in answering to that question at today’s press conference,” he wrote on his Twitter account.
“But everyone who knows me also knows about my honesty with Manchester City and my duties as team captain,” he explained.
City lead the Premier League standings a point clear of Liverpool after last weekend’s 2-2 draw against the Reds. with whom he will meet in the semifinals of the Cup, on Saturday at Wembley.
“My concentration is 100% to win all the titles that we play and I will only talk about my future at the end of the season”, added Fernandinho in another message on Twitter. “Let’s continue pushing”, he concluded.