Bernardo Silva reveals Pep Guardiola’s relentless desire to tactically tweak Manchester City | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola holds a relentless desire to consistently tweak his Manchester City operation from a tactical perspective, Bernardo Silva has revealed.

Guardiola raised eyebrows in midweek by introducing 10 changes to City’s starting XI against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League group-stage – three days on from a 2-1 Premier League loss away at Newcastle.

The Catalan held his hand up and assumed responsibility for one of Manchester City’s most toothless displays in a long time, with goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick sealing a vital European win for Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium.

Silva questioned Guardiola’s team selection in the aftermath of Tuesday’s damaging defeat as he reviewed his side’s performance in a second defeat on the trot since the return of club football following the recent November international break.

The Portugal international was on the bench in midweek but is expected to return to the lineup when Manchester City welcome Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Speaking in a new interview with Manchester City’s club website, Silva has offered a personal insight into his relationship with Guardiola both on and off the pitch.

“Well, it’s a mix of a very, very professional relationship that we’ve had for eight and a half years and there’s also a personal relationship. We’ve won a lot; we’ve spent a lot of time together. He’s a coach who’s given me a lot,” the 31-year-old said.

“I’ve learned a lot from him and I’m learning every day. And I have very good memories with him. He’s changed a lot and he’s a coach who tries not to stay in the same zone, not to play in the same way.

“Every year, he likes to change because he knows that if he doesn’t change, the other teams will adapt to us. Of course, it’s difficult to find a good solution that’s different every year, but that’s what he tries to do and that’s why he’s a different coach.

“Winning six in the Premier League is not normal. There’s a lot of competition. A lot of players have left, a lot of young players are here, and we have this type of player – they need time.

“At a club like Manchester City, you have to be ready to win all the time, but it’s normal that these types of young players, they need a little more time to be prepared for, for this level. You need to be consistent. That’s the most important thing at this level.

“It’s not important to win a match against Liverpool. Afterwards, if you lose points, those points will count the same as points against big teams. So, you have to be consistent, you have to be ready for every game and we’re working. We work as hard as we can to get to this level.”

This could well be Silva’s final season under Guardiola’s tutelage as the former AS Monaco man is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2026, with no indication as yet of a renewal amid strong interest from Portugal and Italy.