Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho claims he has not been offered a deal to join Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.
The Brazilian has been a key player for City ever since joining from Shakhtar Donetsk for a huge £30million fee way back in 2013.
Fernandinho has racked up more than 300 appearances for City and is now heading towards his fourth league title with the club.
At 35, Fernandinho is now the key leader of Guardiola’s dressing room, and his influence this season has been huge even if his playing time hasn’t been.
The Brazilian is out of contract this summer, meaning City now face a big decision on whether to hand him an extension.
City have been losing key pillars in recent times; Yaya Toure in 2018, Vincent Kompany in 2019 and David Silva in 2020, so losing Fernandinho would really hurt.
Atletico Mineiro director of football Rodrigo Caetano recent told O Tempo that Fernandinho had an offer on the table to give up playing and join Guardiola’s coaching staff.
Now though, Fernandinho has denied that claim, suggesting that the offer was actually related to club matters rather than a coaching role, but he is delaying a decision until the summer.
“I’ve been focused on Man City,” said Fernandinho. “I know how much my team-mates need me. I made a decision to only decide my future when the season is over. I already had an offer, not to be part of Pep’s staff, but to be an employee of the club.”
“I was flattered, after eight years at Man City and the respect I have gained here, but it is a decision that I put aside,” he added.
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