Former youth coach expresses surprise at Bernardo Silva’s Manchester City departure
Silva is set to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer after nine years, having secured 15 major honours including the 2022-23 Treble.
Bernardo Silva is scheduled to depart Manchester City upon the expiration of his contract this summer, concluding a nine-year tenure at the club. The Portuguese midfielder’s exit has drawn commentary from Renato Paiva, his former youth coach at Benfica, who described the move as a significant surprise given the player’s long-standing association with a club that consistently competes for major honours.
Paiva, who previously managed Botafogo, told BBC Sport that he does not anticipate Silva leaving the “big three or the big five” European leagues. He stated that the 31-year-old is expected to have his pick of major sides, suggesting that Silva will remain at the highest level of the sport despite the change in management structure.
The former youth coach highlighted Silva’s exceptional game awareness and decision-making as defining qualities of his career. Paiva recalled Silva’s early days in the Benfica youth system, noting that even as a child, he was the best player in tournaments despite being physically slight. Paiva remarked that Silva’s understanding of the game allowed him to make superior decisions, a trait evident from the age of eight or nine.
Silva’s statistical record at Manchester City is extensive, with 451 appearances, 76 goals, and 77 assists since his arrival from Monaco. During his time at the club, he has won 15 major honours, including the historic Treble in the 2022-23 season. He also lifted the Carabao Cup in March and remains in contention for the Premier League and FA Cup titles in the current campaign.
While the specific destination for Silva has not been confirmed, Paiva acknowledged that the player has his own reasons for the departure. He praised Manchester City’s environment, noting that the club is always fighting for titles and offers very high working conditions, alongside one of the best coaches in the world, Pep Guardiola. Paiva added that he once told Silva he would need to “make his house bigger” due to the volume of trophies he would accumulate.
