‘Every Good Story Comes to an End’: Bernardo Silva to Leave Man City After Nine Seasons
Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva will depart the club at the end of the current campaign when his contract expires, it has been confirmed.
The Portugal international, 31, has enjoyed a glittering nine-year spell at the Etihad, winning six Premier League titles and one Champions League.
His exit will mark the end of an era for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Assistant manager Pep Lijnders, speaking after City’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool, acknowledged Silva’s unique contribution.
‘You never replace a player with the same kind of player, because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique,’ he said.
Lijnders added: ‘The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions, all these things. When he’s not playing, you see how he’s missed. And that’s one game. Imagine a season?’
Reflecting on Silva’s departure, Lijnders said: ‘Every good story comes to an end. I hope he enjoys the last months, it is only six weeks, and he has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention as well.’
City will now look to their academy and younger midfielders to step up, but Lijnders admitted it will be difficult to fill the void left by their captain.
