Guardiola Wants Bernardo Silva to Finish Career at Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his desire for club captain Bernardo Silva to finish his career at the Etihad Stadium, although the midfielder’s contract is set to expire in June 2026.

Speaking at a news conference on April 10, 2026, Guardiola stated that while he would love for the 31-year-old Portugal international to remain with the club, the ultimate decision rests with the player.

I’m so grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said ‘if you take a decision I have to be the first to [know]’ and he didn’t say anything to me yet. 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.

Pep Guardiola

Differing Perspectives on Silva’s Departure

Guardiola’s uncertainty contrasts with the views of his assistant, Pep Lijnders. Following Manchester City’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool on April 5, 2026, Lijnders suggested that Silva’s nine-year tenure with the club is likely drawing to a close.

You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. 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. He deserves all that attention as well.

Pep Lijnders

Lijnders further emphasized the impact Silva has on the squad, noting that the team’s struggle when he is absent from a single game illustrates the difficulty of replacing him over an entire season.

Career Milestones and Recent Form

Bernardo Silva joined Manchester City from the French club Monaco in 2017. In March 2026, he made his 450th appearance for the club during an EFL Cup victory against Arsenal.

Silva was appointed club captain in the summer of 2025 following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne. Since taking the captaincy, he led the team to a 2-0 Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal in March 2026, marking his first piece of silverware as captain.

Despite the team’s domestic success, Silva experienced a setback in European competition, receiving a red card during Manchester City’s loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16.

Transfer Speculation and Potential Destinations

As his contract nears its end, Silva has been linked with several high-profile moves across Europe and North America. Reporting indicates interest from the following clubs and regions:

• Barcelona, the current leaders of La Liga
• Juventus in Serie A
• Various teams in Major League Soccer (MLS)
• Benfica, Silva’s boyhood club
• Clubs in Saudi Arabia

Sources informed ESPN that Silva is set to leave at the end of the 2025/26 season and is currently close to finalizing a decision regarding his next destination.

Guardiola acknowledged the speculation during his April 10 press conference, joking that the event felt like a farewell press conference for Bernardo because the player had not yet formally communicated his plans to the manager.

While Guardiola remains hopeful that the midfielder will stay, he noted that he will not stand in the way of the player’s decision once It’s made.