- Fernandinho reflects on leadership under Guardiola
- Reveals role in the City dressing room
- Hints at possible return to the club
Former Manchester City captain Fernandinho sat down for an interview where he talked about his role and possible future at the club.
Despite leaving in 2022, Fernandinho has been one of the most important figures at the Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola.
The Brazilian joined the Sky Blues before Guardiola’s arrival and was a regular starter for the club alongside Yaya Toure.
However, the midfielder’s role changed after the Catalan’s arrival. After a box-to-box era, Fernandinho turned into a pivot and also a leader at the Etihad.
Fernandinho talks about his role under Guardiola
Following David Silva’s departure in 2020, it was time for Fernandinho to assume the honour of being the Man City captain.
The Brazilian didn’t disappoint, as during the two seasons he spent as a captain, the Sky Blues won three competitions, reaching the finals of two more.
“We’d agreed at the beginning of the season how it would work. I told him, ‘You take care of the tactics, and I take care of the players.’ My duty was just to make the players understand how big Manchester City was and try to get the club back on track”, Fernandinho told the Daily Mail.
He continued: “We had lost the league (to Liverpool) and then the Champions League. I was really honest with them.”
A possible return in the future
Apart from extensively laying out the details of his time at the Etihad, the 40-year-old also told the Daily Mail about a possible return to Manchester in the future.
Fernandinho has completed a diploma in club management from FIFA and was rumoured to take charge of the club in some capacity. However, he is now enjoying life in Brazil, but he hasn’t ruled out a possible return.
“Really? Rumours are rumours. I’m starting to enjoy my life. So not planning coaching yet, not planning to go back to the UK yet”, he said in the interview.
“But you never know the future, what can happen. I’m so happy living here in Brazil with my family. We’ll see next year, next season, what’s happening.”
A crux at the Etihad
Despite not being a game-changer, Fernandinho was the pivot on which City’s game balanced. He made 383 appearances for the club before returning to Athletico Paranaense.
The Brazilian found the back of the net 26 times with the Sky Blues and assisted 32 times. Even in his mid-30s, while playing his last season with the Sky Blues, he managed 7.99 recoveries per 90.
City also only conceded 1.13 goals per 90 while Fernandinho was on the pitch in the 2021/22 season. Under his captaincy, the Citizens won two Premier League titles and a Carabao Cup.
