Two Man City players were presented with a guard of honor during Josep Guardiola’s final game as manager.
Josep Guardiola played an emotional final as Man City manager (Image: Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney has harshly criticized Manchester City players who served as a guard of honor during their defeat to Aston Villa. City bid an emotional farewell to long-time servants Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who were substituted in the second half, with Josep Guardiola weeping on the sideline.
The match also served as a farewell match for manager Guardiola, who announced last week that he would be leaving City at the end of the season.
In Guardiola’s final game, City lost 2-1 to Villa with Antoine Semenho scoring, but a brace from Ollie Watkins gave the hosts an empty-handed victory.
Silva and Stones played their last game as City players, a loss to Villa, but both players were included in the starting XI for the final time.
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Guardiola replaced Silva in the 59th minute with Mateo Kovacic, with the Portugal international receiving a standing ovation and a guard of honor from both City and Villa players as he left the pitch.
A visibly emotional Guardiola was also seen crying as Silva headed into his final game as a City player.
Stones received the same farewell from both sets of players when he was substituted by Josko Gvardiol in the 77th minute.
Rooney was asked about the honor guard given to both players and the Manchester United legend disputed the timing.
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“It’s unbelievable,” Rooney said on Match of the Day. “I’ve seen some things happen this season and it makes me sad when I think about things like this happening in football.
“Bernardo Silva (and) John Stones have done a great job for Manchester City and deserve it, but they should have a guard of honor after the game.
“If I was in that Aston Villa team I would have been frustrated.”
Manchester City and Aston Villa players protect Bernardo Silva’s guard of honor (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Newcastle legend Alan Shearer appeared alongside Rooney as a commentator on Match of the Day and echoed the views shared by the former Everton striker.
“I was surprised that Villa agreed, especially after such a long period of absence,” Shearer said.
“So I’m in Wayne’s camp because we have just over 30 minutes left until we decide on one of our substitutes.”
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Silva, Stones and Guardiola, who ended their City careers on Sunday.
Both Silva and Stones have been tentatively linked with new clubs, with the former attracting interest from the likes of Juventus, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, Guardiola’s future as manager remains uncertain, with the Spaniard expected to step away from the role. The legendary manager, who won 20 trophies in 10 years at City, said in his farewell speech: “Please take a moment of silence. I’m so nervous and scared. Why do you love me so much? Why are you doing this to me?
“I will never… (exclaims 10 more years, Pep shakes his head). No, just for Erling (Haaland). I couldn’t have imagined a greater love. It’s a great honor to be your manager. I would like to remember more than just the trophies. I hope we can provide you with incredible feelings and emotions that the people who come here will find enjoyable.”
“Give me a break, my 95-year-old father is here. Maybe he doesn’t realize it, but I’m sure Chris and my father know that we have a really beautiful stand and that my family has been there for many years.
“Thank you, Chief Mansour. But I’m sure Khaldoon really put the pressure on. My family, they’ll be here. The players don’t know it, but I’ll be there to control them and leave a legacy. Fernandinho, Eddie, John, Bernie, all the players on screen. The players have a huge responsibility to continue the standards of this great club.”
“This has been my home since day one. In a few years’ time, if you see me in the street, if you’re a City fan, I want you to come up to me and give me a hug. I mean it.”
“As I said, it was a great honor to represent this club. Every decision I made I thought about what was best for this club. I love you so much. Let me finish by saying what I said a few days ago. They didn’t allow me to say it, but it was a lot of fun.”
