Manchester City captain Fernandinho plans to leave the club in the summer but the head coach of the club Pep Guardiola seems very surprised by the news. The Brazilian midfielder revealed his intentions before Manchester City’s game at Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old signed a one-year contract extension with City last June. He was asked if he expected to still be at Etihad Stadium next season, he said: “No, I want to play regularly.” Fernandinho has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and six EFL Cups since joining City from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013. He has made 23 appearances for the club this season but started just six times in the Premier League as the club bid to retain the title.
Fernandinho also said: “I will go back to Brazil. I decided with my family, which is the most important for me.” Guardiola hearing this said: “I didn’t know it.” “We will see what happens at the end of the season. We don’t know what’s going to happen.” “Fernandinho, I’ve said many times, is so important for me. We will see what happens but, anyway, I will talk to him.”
The manager also said maybe it’s a family decision or maybe he wants more minutes than he has had this season, he is not sure but he will have to speak to him at the season we are going to talk. Guardiola praised club captain Fernandinho’s influence as he added: “I know what he has done, behind me, he handles many of our players and stars for the benefit of the team. “An incredible player for Manchester City. There are things nobody knows but I know exactly what he has [done].