Manager ‘convinced’ of Manchester City exit for Etihad Stadium star – Player, coach, or president role awaits | OneFootball

Manchester City club captain Bernardo Silva is simply destined for a return to Benfica at some stage in the future, the current manager of the Lisbon club has admitted.

The Portuguese midfielder’s future has been a recurring theme over the past few years, with repeated rumours tying him to a homecoming in Portugal, or a top-level move elsewhere in European football.

While Pep Guardiola has made clear his admiration – most recently naming Silva as City’s new captain and praising his leadership qualities – voices in Portugal continue to grow louder about a career-ending stint at Estádio da Luz.

The timing of such discussions is particularly intriguing given the backdrop of Benfica’s presidential race, and certain candidates openly floating the idea of bringing Silva back to the club, with some reports suggesting contracts and proposals are already being drafted for 2026.

That narrative has only been further fuelled by a visit to the Etihad Stadium over the course of the last weekend from João Noronha Lopes and his entourage, sparking even more transfer speculation.

Yet beyond the politics, there is also the emotional connection with Bernardo Silva, who came through Benfica’s academy before making his name in Monaco and then Manchester, having regularly spoken of his maintained affection for the Lisbon side.

Now, speaking during a recent press conference in quotes relayed by Portuguese newspaper O JOGO, Benfica manager Bruno Lage has clarified recent remarks on Bernardo Silva that sparked a political debate in the country.

As translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Lage has insisted that he never intended to intervene in Benfica’s highly-publicised presidential race, with his words having been misinterpreted.

“On Bernardo Silva, I said the obvious, what any Benfica supporter knows and says, by interpreting what Bernardo himself has said publicly”, said Lage.

The Benfica coach also revealed that he had already spoken with the Manchester City midfielder and as such he remains convinced that “one day, regardless of the coach or the president, Bernardo will return to Benfica.”

From a Manchester City perspective, the question is whether Bernardo Silva’s exit comes in the near future or further down the line, with his current deal running until the end of the ongoing campaign, and Pep Guardiola continuing to rely heavily on his services.

For Benfica, the dream scenario is broader than just a short-term signing, particularly now with the suggestion that the player could one day return not only as a player but potentially in a leadership capacity. Such suggestions also underline just how much Silva represents the values and identity of Benfica in the eyes of supporters.

As things stand, Bernardo Silva remains entirely committed to Manchester City and their ongoing campaign under Pep Guardiola, especially at a time of transition within the first-team squad with plenty of new faces arriving through the doors over the last nine months.