He’s my father of football and the greatest of all-time – Bernardo on Pep | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva paid tribute to boss Pep Guardiola after the pair’s final City game calling him ‘my father of football’ and the ‘greatest of all-time’.

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Watch: City heroes past and present congratulate Bernardo and Stones

Silva was the beating heart of a Blues side, led by Guardiola, that earned an astonishing 20 major honours.

After the duo – alongside talismanic defender John Stones – took the applause of the crowd, Bernardo spoke to the media and hailed the Catalan for the way he’s guided his career for close to a decade here in England.

“He’s the greatest of all-time in my opinion, to start with,” said our captain.

“He’s my father of football. I am really grateful for everything he did for me, the way he trusted me, the way he supported me during the bad moments, the way he helped me see football in a different way and then obviously winning helps.

“When you win this much and you share so many fantastic memories it also helps to create these types of connections and he’s a special person for me.”

Men's Team

Pep: I leave so confident about City looking to the future

Bernardo will now ply his trade elsewhere after a sky blue career that will live long in the memory.

But, despite leaving, the Portuguese says he will always feel love and affection for Manchester because of what it’s meant to him on and off the pitch.

“They are a family,” he said of the City supporters.

“They mean so much to us.

“I’m half Mancunian now for sure. This will always be my second home.

“It’s also where I started my family, where I started my relationship with my wife. It’s a very special place.

“Today meant a lot. It was truly a special moment to share this with my family, my football family, with John, with Pep and with Gundo and Eddie and Fernandinho.

“Overall it was a special celebration and a great day for this football club.”

Join us at Co-Op Live for the ‘After Party’

To mark the achievements of Manchester City men’s, women’s and academy teams during the 25/26 season, we can confirm that an open top bus parade will take place on Monday 25th May, followed by ‘The After Party’ a special celebration event at Co-op Live.

Event Information

Date: Monday 25 May

Doors Open: 15:00 (UK)

Parade Show begins: 16:00 (UK)

Final Entry: 18:00 (UK)

Player Arrival at Co-op Live: 18:30 (UK)

Event Closes: 20:00 (UK)

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