Pep Guardiola has admitted it will feel like losing a part of himself when Bernardo Silva departs Manchester City at the end of the season.
The Portuguese midfielder, who joined from AS Monaco in 2017, is set to leave after a glittering spell that brought 15 major trophies, including multiple Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Speaking ahead of City’s crucial clash with Arsenal, Guardiola reflected on Silva’s impact, saying, “When these types of players are going, and there have been many in the last years, part of myself is leaving too.”
He added, “It will be difficult imagining [the club] without him. He made an incredible statement for nine years and he has been massively, massively, massively important.”
Guardiola expressed hope that the team can give Silva a fitting send-off, noting, “Hopefully, we can deliver for him, [and] he’s going to help us. I know that. He’s a special player. Hopefully we can deliver a good month, a good few days, because he deserves it, he deserves the best.”
The City boss also highlighted the scale of their shared success, saying, “We’ve won 19 titles together, we are still challenging for two more and we are going for it, that’s for sure.”
Silva leaves as one of the club’s most consistent performers, nearing 300 league appearances and contributing significantly in goals and assists.
Guardiola acknowledged the broader transition within the squad, pointing to the departure of key figures like Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gündoğan, while noting uncertainty around newer players adapting to title pressure.
As City push for more silverware, Silva’s impending exit marks the close of a defining chapter in the club’s modern era.
