Manchester City boss Fernandinho plans to leave the club in the summer – but the news has surprised coach Pep Guardiola. The midfielder revealed his intentions before the match between City and Atletico Madrid in the second match of the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday. Fernandinho, 36, signed a one-year contract extension with City last June. Asked if he expected to be at the Etihad Stadium next season, he said: “No, I want to play regularly.” Fernandinho has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and six EFLs since moving to City from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013. He has made 23 appearances for the club this season, but started just six times in the Premier League as the club struggled to retain the title. Fernandinho added: “I will return to Brazil. I decided with my family what is most important to me.” Guardiola, whose team took a 1-0 lead in the first leg of the return leg against Atletico, spoke after each player in preparation for the match. “I did not know,” said the City boss when asked about Fernandinho’s comments. “We will see what happens at the end of the season. We do not know what will happen. “Fernandinho, I have said many times, is so important to me. We will see what happens but, anyway, I will talk to him. “Maybe it’s a family decision or maybe he wants more minutes than he had this season, I do not know. “I will talk to him, of course, but such a situation … at the end of the season we will talk.” Guardiola praised the influence of team captain Fernandinho as he added: “I know what he has done, behind me he handles many of our players and stars for the benefit of the team. “An incredible player for Manchester City. There are things no one knows, but I know exactly what he has. [done]. “I have said many times that I want the happiness of my players. We will play for him tomorrow and give him the best farewell moment, reaching the Champions League semi-finals again and then we will try to get through again.” Following the press conference, Fernandinho posted a post on social media saying he was “100% honest and spontaneous” answering questions. But he added: “Anyone who knows me also knows that my greatest honesty is with Manchester City and my duties as team captain. “My focus is 100% on winning all the titles we are fighting for and I will only talk about my future at the end of the season. Let ‘s keep pushing!”
