Pep Guardiola says ‘part of me is leaving too’ after news of Bernardo Silva’s departure – UK Times

Pep Guardiola admitted that waving farewell to Bernardo Silva will be the hardest goodbye to any of the Manchester City legends who have gone – and said that part of him will go with his captain.

Silva announced on Thursday that he will move on when his contract expires in the summer after nine years at City, including 451 appearances and 19 trophies.

Guardiola believes it would be an appropriate tribute to the midfielder if City could send him off with more silverware as they try to pip Arsenal to the Premier League title.

During Guardiola’s decade at the Etihad Stadium, City greats such as Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Fernandinho, Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gundogan have moved on.

But losing Silva will hit him hard. “Yeah, absolutely it’s part of when this type of players,” he said. “There are many in the last years who have gone. it’s part of. I’m talking for myself.

“Part of myself is leaving too so. It would be difficult to imagine it without him. As I’ve said many times off and off the pitch, I think he makes an incredible statement during nine years and especially has been massively, massively, massively important.

“Hopefully we can deliver to him, he’s going to help us, I know that. He’s a special player in that terms. Hopefully we can deliver a good month, because he deserves it, he deserves the best.”