The 36-year-old former Brazil international, who has won four Premier League titles since joining City in 2013 from Shakhtar Donetsk, revealed his intentions at a press conference ahead of the quarter-final return from the Champions League on Wednesday at Atlético Madrid.
Fernandinho, asked if he wanted to extend his stay at the Etihad for another year, replied: “I don’t think so.”
Guardiola, who was alongside the midfielder, was taken aback by his captain’s announcement. “Oh! I didn’t know. You’re the one giving me the news,” he said.
“I don’t know what will happen. He is so important. I will ask him,” insisted the Spaniard, who said he would be “delighted” if his player reversed his decision.
Guardiola said Fernandinho had been “an incredible player for Manchester City”. “At the end of the season we will talk about it, maybe it’s because of his family,” added the manager.
Fernandinho’s last tenure with the Citizens dates back to the Champions League round of 16 return to home against Sporting Portugal in early March, but Guardiola assured that he remained an essential figure for the Mancunian club.
“When I arrived (in 2016) he was already there, like Raheem (Sterling), Kevin (De Bruyne), John (Stones), few players… We know each other very well. (…) He has does incredible things (for the team), things that no one else does,” said the technician.