Manchester City assistant coach Pep Lijnders has officially verified that club captain Bernardo Silva will conclude his tenure at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current campaign. The announcement marks the end of a highly successful era for the Portuguese international, who had previously alluded to a potential exit following the club’s participation in the Club World Cup last year. While speculations had circulated for months, the playmaker’s summer departure has now been formally acknowledged by the club’s technical staff.
The 31-year-old’s influence on the squad was a primary focus of Lijnders’ remarks as he addressed the looming void in City’s midfield. The assistant coach emphasized that Silva’s tactical versatility and leadership make him an irreplaceable figure within the Premier League champions’ setup, suggesting that his absence will be felt acutely across an entire season.
Reflecting on the midfielder’s legacy and the final stages of his career in Manchester, Lijnders stated: “Bernardo Silva is unique. It will be hard because in a game when he is not playing you will see how he is missed – and that’s [only] one game. Imagine a season. But every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention.”
As the countdown begins on his final six weeks with the Blues, attention has naturally shifted toward Silva’s next professional chapter. While a sentimental return to his boyhood club, Benfica, remains a strong possibility, the veteran midfielder is not short of elite options. Reports suggest that Italian giants Juventus are monitoring the situation closely, alongside several franchises from Major League Soccer (MLS) who are keen to bring the decorated technician to North America.
