Manchester City Cult Hero set to Leave After Nine Trophy Laden Years Under Pep Guardiola

Manchester City's captain, Bernardo Silva, is confirmed to be leaving the club at the end of the season, with his contract expiring this summer.

The announcement comes after City assistant manager, Pep Lijnders, expressed his hope that the influential midfielder receives a fitting send-off.

Silva, who took on the captaincy this season, has been a key figure in the squad's resurgence under Pep Guardiola. Although he had hinted to reporters at the Club World Cup last June that this would be his final year at the Etihad, an official statement had not been made until now.

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Before his departure, Silva is focused on securing a seventh Premier League title. City currently trails league leaders Arsenal by nine points but have a game in hand.

Lijnders praised the Portuguese international's unique impact on the team. "Bernardo Silva is unique," he stated. "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," Lijnders added.

This is not the first time Silva has considered leaving City. He came close to an exit on two previous occasions, with Paris Saint-Germain showing strong interest. However, their offer fell significantly short of the club's £70 million valuation at the time.

The 31-year-old has several potential destinations, including options in MLS and interest from Juventus. Long-time admirers Barcelona are also in the picture. Silva has indicated that a return to his boyhood club Benfica is not yet on the cards.

Despite a successful nine-year spell in Manchester, Silva has openly discussed his struggles with adapting to English culture. He recently remarked that if the club were located in southern Europe, he would stay until he was "kicked out."

"If Manchester City was in Lisbon, I'd stay until I'm 40," Silva admitted. "I truly love the football club, my team-mates, staff, fans, stadium, atmosphere—everything about my professional life."

Following the departures of Silva and John Stones, who is also set to leave on a free transfer, Phil Foden will be the sole remaining player from the historic 2018 "Centurions" squad.

Lijnders, a former Liverpool assistant, shared his admiration for the City captain. "I didn't like Bernardo before," he joked. "Now I love him. The way he feels the game, what's needed. There are not many like him... He feels the task to play well, to make the team play well. These are the type of players, when they are not playing, you will feel it."