“That’s his decision” – Bernardo Silva breaks silence on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva delivered a heartfelt tribute to Pep Guardiola after Manchester City lifted the FA Cup by beating Chelsea in the final on Saturday.

Silva departs the Etihad Stadium as a free agent in June, having confirmed his exit earlier this season after nine years that have yielded six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League and a host of other honours.

In conversation with BBC Sport after winning his second trophy as Manchester City captain, the Portugal international reflected fondly on his personal relationship with Guardiola and the wider question of if the 55-year-old will be on the Etihad Stadium touchline next season.

Bernardo: Pep changed the way I see football

Silva was unusually candid about the depth of what Guardiola has meant to him as a footballer and as a person.

“He changed the way that I see football,” he said. “Nine years, so 80 perent of my career more or less was with him as my manager.

“All of the things that I ever hoped for achieving was under him and the relationship with him has got very strong; with the frustrations, the achievements.

“And I hope that now that I’m leaving, one day when I come back to the same city where he is we can go for dinner, have lunch and be friends.”

The image of Silva hoping to remain in Guardiola’s circle after leaving the club is consistent with what Guardiola himself has said about the Portuguese in recent weeks.

The City manager warned he would cry if he spoke too much about Silva’s departure after a 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal in April, insisting his name should be “written in capital letters” when describing him as a legend. The feeling, it is clear, is mutual.

Pep staying is obviously better but that’s his decision: Silva

Turning to the subject of Guardiola’s future, Silva was careful to respect the boundaries of what is ultimately a private decision, while leaving no doubt about his own preference.

“I care a lot about Man City. That’s his decision, it’s not for me to comment on that,” the 31-year-old added. “I wish all the best to the manager because I really enjoyed being with him, having shared all these moments together.

“And for this club, I also want the best; Pep being the best manager in the world – if he stays, it’s obviously better. But that’s his decision!”

The acknowledgement that Guardiola staying would be ‘obviously better’ for the club is the clearest public statement Silva has made on the subject – and carries the weight of someone who has watched the manager operate from the inside for nine years.

Whether Guardiola ultimately decides to extend his stay beyond this season, a decision understood to be made by the end of May, remains the most consequential question hanging over Manchester City’s summer.