An amazing sequence.
Manchester City captain, Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho surprised his coach Pep Guardiola by saying on Tuesday that he intended to leave the reigning English champions at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old former Brazil international, who has won four Premier League titles since joining City in 2013 from Shakhtar Donetsk, revealed his intentions at a press conference ahead of the quarter-final return from the Champions League on Wednesday at Atlético Madrid.
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Fernandinho MOLLY DARLINGTON / PANORAMIC
Guardiola surprised in the middle of a press conference
Fernandinho, asked if he wanted to extend his stay at the Etihad for another year, replied: "
I don't think so.
Guardiola, who was alongside the midfielder, was taken aback by his captain's announcement.
“
Oh!
I did not know.
You're the one giving me the news
,” he said.
“
I don't know what will happen.
He is so important.
I'll ask him
,” insisted the Spaniard, who said he would be “
delighted
” if his player reversed his decision.
Guardiola said Fernandinho had been "
an incredible player for Manchester City
".
"
At the end of the season we will talk about it, maybe it's because of his family
," added the manager.
Fernandinho's last tenure with the Citizens dates back to the round of 16 second leg of C1 played at home against Sporting Portugal in early March, but Guardiola assured that he remained an essential figure for the Mancunian club.
"
When I arrived (in 2016) he was already there, like Raheem (Sterling), Kevin (de Bruyne), John (Stones), few players... We know each other very well.
(…) He did incredible things (for the team), things that no one else does
, ”said the technician.