​Viana: Bernardo and Stones said they could not play against City!Director of Football Hugo Viana says Bernardo Silva and John Stones both told him they had to leave the Premier League after exiting City to reduce the likelihood of playing against us.
Men’s Team
Viana: Maresca and I share the same ambition – to keep City on top!
Both players left this summer as legends of the club, heading for Real Madrid and Inter respectively, having been crucial to the 20 major honours won under Pep Guardiola.Bernardo joined in 2017 and represented City more than anyone else in the intervening years, playing 460 times across nine seasons and developing from a prodigiously talented playmaker into a leader and captain.STONES & SILVA | BUY YOUR BOOKAZINEStones came in 2016 – the same year as Guardiola – and grew into one of the finest defenders in the world and a on-pitch lieutenant of the Catalan capable of putting his complex ideas into action.Having such a shared history with City, the pair both made it clear to Viana that they had no interest in joining another English club so they didn’t have to face City in domestic competitions.Speaking in the second half of his interview with City Studios reviewing our summer transfer business, Viana said he believes the pair will always be City fans.“You cannot replace them. It’s impossible. Inside the pitch and also outside. They were really important for the Club. They were really important in the dressing room and day by day here,” he began.
Men’s Team
Viana: Bouaddi was always a key target for us
“Of course, I have a good relationship with both of them. We had really good conversations and I’m keeping in touch with both of them. Yesterday John texted me wishing all the best for the game [Sunday’s 1-0 win at Manchester United].“I really believe they are really happy when we win and when we lose – we’re going to lose for sure – and when we draw they will be as sad as us.“They really felt part of the Manchester City family. One of the interesting points we had during our conversations was that both felt they cannot stay in the Premier League.“They had to go abroad because they cannot face Manchester City.“So that means a lot for me and the Club to have that kind of player with that mentality.“They were enjoying it a lot being here, they won a lot of trophies. They were really important. I feel they are still Manchester City fans for sure.”
Men’s Team
Khusanov can be one of the best centre-backs in the world, says Viana
Having announced their impending departures before the end of last season, the pair – as well as Guardiola – were given a glorious farewell in their final game at the Etihad.Both players started in th