Fernandinho ‘really proud’ of achievements as he prepares for Man City swansong
The veteran Brazilian midfielder will leave City nine years following Sunday’s final Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa
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Fernandinho feels he has achieved everything he intended as he prepares to bid farewell to Manchester City.
The veteran Brazilian midfielder will leave City after nine mostly successful years following Sunday’s final Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa.
The 37-year-old has won four Premier League titles, six League Cups and one FA Cup since his £30million arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2013.
Champions League success has eluded him, with last year’s runner-up finish the closest he has come to European glory with City, but he does have the chance to sign off with one more Premier League winner’s medal.
The champions will retain their crown with victory over Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
Reflecting on his time with City, Fernandinho said: “I think one word I can describe it – proud. Since the first day, the intention was to win trophies and then we did it.
When I look back, I feel really proud.
“The whole group, the whole team and the whole staff were involved and when I look back, I feel really proud. Everything I planned, we did here.
“I couldn’t imagine being here for such a long time but, from the first day, they showed us how to win games and trophies. I was sure I was giving 100 per cent to win a lot of trophies.
“After the success it was normal to extend with another contract, so I stayed for nine years.”
Fernandinho’s early successes with City came under Manuel Pellegrini, but he feels his best football came after Pep Guardiola took over as manager.
He said: “When he came I was 30 already, so I’d had good managers in the past, but when I started to work with him, I just started to see football in a different way.
“I understand football much better and he makes you see the game in another vision. It was amazing for me and he definitely helped me increase my level and my understanding about football as well.”
Fernandinho is set to return to his homeland this summer and has been linked with former club Athletico Paranaense.
He will not be forgotten at City, with the club planning a permanent tribute to him, as they have with other past players, at their City Football Academy complex.
He said: “My family and I were always treated really well here in Manchester. That is why I spent nine years here. The kids were settled in school with friends and my wife was settled as well.
“That was really important to keep me calm to do my job on the pitch. Maybe I could come back here to spend more time in Manchester. We will see.”
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