It's a surprise that Pep Guardiola would have done well without.
A few hours before a crucial Champions League quarter-final return for Manchester City against Atlético de Madrid (1-0 for City in the first leg), the Spanish technician learned in the middle of a press conference that his captain, Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho was to leave the club at the end of the season.
Passing in front of the journalists before his coach, Fernandinho affirmed, with a closed face, that he was not going to extend his contract next year.
The Citizens captain has played just 23 games for City this season, often in a substitute role.
He longs for more playing time, and should return to finish his career in his native country.
“I will go back to Brazil.
I made this decision with my family, and it is the most important for me”, he specified.
I was 100% honest and spontaneous in answering that question at today's press conference.
But anyone who knows me also knows that my greatest honesty is with Man City and my duties as team captain.
— Fernandinho (@fernandinho) April 12, 2022
Asked about this departure, Pep Guardiola appeared taken aback: “Oh!
I did not know.
You tell me the news”.
He promised to discuss it quickly with the player, leaving no possibility aside: “We will see what happens at the end of the season.
Fernandinho is very important for us, I will speak with him”.
Fernandinho is in his ninth season with the Mancunian club, for which he has played 373 games.
