Pep Guardiola's surprised reaction to Fernandinho's Man City exit

Pep Guardiola was taken aback by Fernandinho’s announcement that he is set to quit the club at the end of the season. The midfielder spoke at a press conference previewing tomorrow’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

And after the 36-year-old Brazil international left the room, Guardiola sat in the same seat five minutes later and was asked by MEN Sport reporter Simon Bajkowski what he thought about the player preparing to go. He was visibly surprised and replied: "I didn’t know it. Simon, you gave me the news. We will see what will happen at the end of the season. I said many times we will see what happens."

When asked later whether that meant he might still intervene and try to get the 36-year-old midfielder to change his mind, Guardiola said: "I said at the end of the season we will talk,. Maybe it is a family decision, maybe he wants more minutes. I would love to be with him."

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Fernandinho could figure against Atletico Madrid tomorrow night, but admitted he is leaving because he wants to play more football. Guardiola says that his role, on the field and off it, is extremely important.

He said: "The role of Ferna I said many times this season I like the types of person for the players, they behave for the benefit behind the scenes and no one knows it. I know what he has done behind me, how he handles many of the biggest stars we have for the benefit of the team and this is a real captain.

"That is why I praise him. I arrived and he was here, with Raheem (Sterling) and Kevin (De Bruyne), and I arrived with Gundo and John (Stones). We know each other well.

"He is always, from day one, an incredible football player for