Fernandinho: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola stunned to learn midfielder plans to leave at season’s end

Ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, manager Pep Guardiola had his usual pre-match press conference on Tuesday, except this one was far from usual. There, while taking questions from the media, he learned that veteran midfielder Fernandinho would be leaving the club at season’s end, much to his surprise. 

The Brazilian told reporters on Tuesday that he will not be extending his contract with the club and aims to return home to his native Brazil. You can watch the Brazilian league, and potentially Fernandinho, live on Paramount+. Guardiola was asked for his reaction and had to ask for the reporter to repeat what he said because he was left stunned. Take a look:

“Oh,” Guardiola said surprisingly. “I didn’t know it.”

A curious moment, one that Fernandinho later said was just him being honest and spontaneous. 

“I was 100% honest and spontaneous in answering that question at today’s press conference. But anyone who knows me also knows that my greatest honesty is with Man. City and my duties as team captain,” he wrote on Twitter.

Guardiola went on to say he would talk to the player and planned to play him against Atleti, with City holding a 1-0 lead after the first leg. Fernandinho has spent nearly a decade with the team but has played just 23 games this season. Now 36 years of age, the former Shakhtar Donestk man has won four Premier League titles with City, as well as one FA Cup. 

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Assuming he heads back to Brazil, joining his former club Athletico Paranaense would make a ton of sense, while all the big clubs like Flamengo and Palmeiras cannot be discounted. Flamengo have been big spenders by Brazilian standards and have been in the market for Europe-based talent looking to head to Brazil. Palmeiras, back-to-back Copa Libertadores champs, could also be an option. They no longer have veteran Felipe Melo commanding the middle after leaving for Fluminense, and rising star defensive midfielder Danilo is expected to earn a move to Europe before long.