Bernardo Silva’s Manchester City exit confirmed by Pep Lijnders after Liverpool FA Cup win | OneFootball

Manchester City assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders has delivered a heartfelt and candid assessment of Bernardo Silva’s imminent departure from the club.

Silva is entering the final months of a nine-year spell at the Etihad Stadium amid no expectation of a contract renewal beyond his current deal that runs till June.

The Portugal international is understood to have selected Barcelona as his preferred destination for next season, ending a decade-long association with Manchester City, whom he joined for £43 million from AS Monaco in 2017.

Speaking to the media after City’s emphatic 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Manchester City assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders was asked to reflect on the looming loss of a player who has been central to everything the club has achieved under head coach Pep Guardiola.

Pep Lijnders: Bernardo Silva is unique

The Dutch coach was unstinting in his praise for the outgoing City captain, making clear that no direct replacement will be sought in the summer window.

“You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist,” Lijnders said. “Bernardo Silva is unique; the way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions – all these things.

“So you never search for a replacement of one type of player. You search for what is needed, to grow with the team and somebody who can fit in the first 11.”

Lijnders also pointed to the club’s long-term vision under director of football Hugo Viana, highlighting both the academy and the young players already at the club as the solution for filling the void left by Silva in the seasons to come – while stressing the importance of City’s experienced core remaining intact.

“The most important is that the seniors will stay for a long time, that they stay, that they stay, that they stay,” he added. “The core is there and around that you can move.

“But it will be hard because, as I said, in the game, when he’s not playing you will see how he’s missed and that’s one game. Imagine the season.”

Every good story comes to an end, says Lijnders on Bernardo

Despite the enormity of the occasion, Lijnders appeared to have made a degree of peace with what lies ahead – expressing his hope that Silva is given the send-off his career at the club so richly deserves in the six weeks that remain.

“Every good story comes to an end and I hope he enjoys the last months,” the City assistant said. “Because it’s only six weeks and has a good farewell and he deserves all that attention as well.”

It remains unknown when Silva will formally declare his plans for next season as Manchester City vie for a domestic treble, having won the Carabao Cup last month after beating Arsenal in the final – and booked an FA Cup semi-final tie against Southampton after Sunday evening’s draw.