Bernardo Silva is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, and the Portuguese playmaker admits there was one thing he said that Pep Guardiola left upset
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Josep 'Pep' Guardiola, head coach of Manchester City, speaks with Bernardo Silva of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor on April 22, 2026 in Burnley, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Bernardo Silva claims Pep Guardiola was unhappy after a phonecall between the two.(Image: 2026 James Gill - Danehouse)
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Bernardo Silva has revealed that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was disappointed with him following a difficult phone call in which he declined the captaincy, alluding to his plans to depart the club at the end of the season. The Portuguese midfielder is a modern-day icon, having helped the club secure virtually every honour available following his £43million transfer from Monaco.
Silva will depart the club when his contract runs out at the end of the campaign, having collected 19 major honours, including six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, two FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, three Community Shields, a FIFA Club World Cup and a UEFA Super Cup.
He has been integral to City's supremacy in English football, which is why Guardiola approached him to assume the captaincy following Kevin De Bruyne's exit, only for Silva to decline. The Spanish manager broke his own protocol of allowing players to elect the next captain, by informing Silva he would be wearing the armband.
"Pep was a bit upset with me initially," Silva, 31, told the Daily Mail. "We didn't agree completely because I said, 'Look, you know my decision. I'm going to leave in one year. Maybe it's better for the club if you choose the guy that's going to be a captain a bit more long-term.'
"We talked again," Silva added. "He decided to go through with it, and I was really honoured. I was just thinking that maybe for the club it was better if it was a guy that was going to stay for at least three, four, five more years."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (right) and Bernardo Silva after the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. Picture date: Wednesday April 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Bernardo Silva is one of Pep Guardiola's must trusted players at Manchester City.(Image: PA Wire)
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Silva confirmed his exit from the Etihad last month with a heartfelt message on social media. He said: "Cityzens, when I arrived 9 years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things. This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for.
"What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart. The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the Four In A Row and much more... It wasn't that bad.
"In a few months it's time to say goodbye to the city where not only we won so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and my family. From the bottom of my heart, Ines and Carlota, thank you!
"To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something that I will never forget. My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch.
"I hope you felt that every single game. I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life. Keep supporting this young team and I'm pretty sure they will bring you a lot of new fantastic memories in the future.
"To the club, Pep, the staff and all my team-mates these 9 years, thank you for all the memories and for letting me be a part of this journey for so long. The atmosphere we created every day in the training ground made me feel at home and a part of a big family.
"Let's enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us. Love you all, Bernardo."
Silva's final appearance in a City shirt could come in what may prove to be the decisive Premier League title clash against Aston Villa on the last day of the season.
He also has the opportunity to add another FA Cup winners' medal to his collection before his departure, with Chelsea standing between City and glory at Wembley on Saturday.