Manchester City players formed a guard of honour for Bernardo Silva during their match against Aston Villa on the final day of the Premier League season
Pep Guardiola was in tears as Bernardo Silva left the pitch in Manchester City’s match against Aston Villa(Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola broke down in tears as the Manchester City players formed a guard of honour for Bernardo Silva. The whole team showed appreciation to their captain as he left the pitch for the final time as a City player after being substituted.
Guardiola became emotional as he watched the guard of honour before embracing Silva on his way off at the Etihad Stadium. The Portugal international is leaving City when his contract expires at the end of this season.
John Stones is also doing likewise. His team-mates repeated the same gesture when he went off later in the match.
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Guardiola started both departing players in what is his last match as manager. However, the Catalan coach will remain connected to the club as a City Football Group global ambassador.
Emotions got the better of Silva before the game even began, leading City out for the final time with tears in his eyes. They then got off to a dream start, with Antoine Semenyo opening the scoring midway through the first half.
City minutes before saw a penalty they were awarded overturned by the VAR. Aston Villa responded after half-time, equalising early in the second period thanks to Ollie Watkins.
Just before the hour mark, Mateo Kovacic replaced Silva, with Rayan Cherki also replacing goalscorer Semenyo at the same time. However, that moment was all about the Portuguese, who waved goodbye to the City fans.
Villa showed no sentimentality once action resumed, though, taking the lead mere minutes after Silva’s send-off, with Watkins again on target. Stones received the same gesture later on as Guardiola used his final substitution to take off the departing defender.
City thought they equalised in added time through Phil Foden, but a VAR review ruled out that strike. Guardiola ultimately signed off with a defeat.
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The Catalan coach again became visibly emotional after the full-time whistle. He showed appreciation to the fans before striding onto the pitch.
Guardiola embraced several Villa players, including Watkins. He then took a moment for himself to look around at the scenes before speaking with Silva.
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