Bernardo Silva Reveals Pep Guardiola’s Relentless Desire to Tactically Tweak Manchester City
Pep Guardiola holds a relentless desire to consistently adjust and refine his Manchester City setup from a tactical standpoint, according to midfielder Bernardo Silva.
The City boss sparked discussion in midweek after making 10 changes to the starting XI against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League group stage—just three days after a 2-1 Premier League defeat away at Newcastle.
Guardiola openly took responsibility for one of Manchester City’s most ineffective performances in recent years, as goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick secured a crucial European victory for Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium.
Reflecting on Tuesday’s damaging defeat, Silva questioned the extent of Guardiola’s squad rotation while reviewing the team’s display—City’s second consecutive loss following the November international break.
The Portuguese midfielder, who was on the bench in midweek, is expected to return to the starting lineup when Manchester City host Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Silva Speaks on His Relationship With Guardiola
In a new interview published on Manchester City’s official website, Bernardo Silva shared personal insights into his long-standing relationship with Guardiola, both on and off the pitch.
“Well, it’s a mix of a very, very professional relationship that we’ve had for eight and a half years, and there’s also a personal relationship. We’ve won a lot; we’ve spent a lot of time together. He’s a coach who’s given me a lot,” the 31-year-old said.
“I’ve learned a lot from him and I’m learning every day. And I have very good memories with him. He’s changed a lot and he’s a coach who tries not to stay in the same zone, not to play in the same way.”
“Every year, he likes to change because he knows that if he doesn’t change, other teams will adapt to us. Of course, it’s difficult to find a good solution that’s different every year, but that’s what he tries to do, and that’s why he’s a different coach.”
On City’s Premier League Dominance
“Winning six Premier League titles is not normal. There’s a lot of competition. Many players have left, many young players have arrived, and these players need time.”
“At a club like Manchester City, you have to be ready to win all the time, but it’s normal for younger players to need a bit more time to adapt to this level. Consistency is the most important thing.”
“It’s not just about winning against Liverpool. If you drop points afterward, those points count just as much as points against the big teams. So you need to be consistent, ready for every game, and we’re working hard to stay at that level.”
This season may be Silva’s last under Guardiola, as his contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in the summer of 2026. So far, there has been no indication of a renewal, with strong interest emerging from clubs in Portugal and Italy.
