Bernardo Silva reveals making Man City exit decision two years ago and insider efforts to make him stay longer | OneFootball

A decision to leave Manchester City this summer was formalised by Bernardo Silva two years ago, the Portuguese midfielder has revealed.

Silva bid an farewell to the City faithful after Sunday’s emotional 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa that marked Pep Guardiola‘s final game in charge of the Blues.

The 31-year-old addressed the Manchester City supporters at the Etihad Stadium in a heartwarming expression of gratitude for support over his nine year, trophy-laden stay in England’s north-west.

Monday’s open bus parade and subsequent Co-op celebrations aimed to pay tribute to the departing Guardiola marked a beautiful send-off from the club to the Catalan, Silva as well as outgoing defender John Stones.

Silva: I decided two years ago I was leaving Man City

Speaking exclusively to Canal 11 in recent weeks, Silva revealed that his decision to leave Manchester City this summer was a choice he made well in advance of his contract expiry.

“It was a decision I made two years ago, that I would see out my contract and then we would go our separate ways. When I made the decision, I knew I wouldn’t change my mind,” said the Portugal international, as translated and relayed by ESPN.

“When I arrived, I never imagined I’d stay for nine years, that’s a long time at a club. The decision to leave was a natural one. It’s my last chance to take on another challenge in my life, to do something different.

“Since I left, my family has been pulling me back. They know that nine years is a long time and, after everything I’ve achieved here, it made sense to do something different.”

Could Bernardo have stayed on at Man City?

It has come to light in the last few days that in the midst of uncertainty over his own future at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola made a few attempts to convince Silva to extend his stay at Manchester City.

On whether the club tried to convince him to stay even longer, Silva added: “They tried. They kept trying, but they realised my stance wasn’t going to change.

“In the end, they stopped pushing the issue. They gradually realised. And then they started joking that I was leaving but never actually would. They didn’t quite believe it.

“Ruben (Dias) and Matheus (Nunes) knew my decision wouldn’t change. I didn’t make a formal announcement, but I always said I’d see out my contract and then leave.”

Silva leaves Manchester City as a free agent after establishing himself as one of the greatest players to have donned sky blue and as one of Guardiola’s best signings throughout his illustrious career in management.