Pep Guardiola has officially named Bernardo Silva the new captain of Manchester City in the final year of his contract.
Click here for more football news and updates.
Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.
Silva is now Manchester City captain
The appointment came after former captain Kevin de Bruyne left City to join Serie A side Napoli.
Guardiola usually lets players and staff vote on who should be captain.
However, the Spanish manager himself appointed the Portuguese midfielder, while Rúben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland are named as vice-captains.
It could be Silva’s last season at the Etihad Stadium after he hinted he will not extend his contract, which will run until 2026.
“I know what I’m going to do, but it’s not the time to talk about that,” said Silva.
“I’m very focused on my season. I’m very focused on performing well for Man City. When the time is due I will talk about it.”
“I have one year on my contract so obviously I can leave next season. I’ve had options in the past and this year, like last year, and this year my option is to stay at Man City.”
“I decided this season”
Meanwhile, Guardiola explained his decision to take matters into his own hands and appoint the club’s captain.
He revealed that he made the unusual move this summer after noticing things he “didn’t like” during last season’s disappointing campaign.
City finished third in the Premier League, ending their run of four consecutive titles.
“I’m the manager this season, for the first time in my career, I decided who would be my captain,” said Guardiola.
“I didn’t like what happened last season. I decided this season.”
“Sometimes I want to be the boss and this season I decided to do it, so I chose the four captains and at the end of this World Cup, maybe we will choose one or two more.”
