Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left stunned by Fernandinho's statement that he will leave the club once his contract expires at the end of this season.
The Brazilian, 37, made the announcement during a pre-match press conference for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final with Atletico Madrid.
Guardiola followed Fernandinho at the same press conference and was shocked to hear about his comments.
"I didn't know it," the manager said. "You gave me the news. We will see what will happen at the end of the season. I said many times we will see what happens.
"I said at the end of the season we will talk – maybe it is a family decision, maybe he wants more minutes. I would love to be with him.
"Maybe Txiki knows it and didn't tell me. I don't know. It is a surprise for me; I will say to him [Txiki]: 'What happened?' But I know his [Fernandinho's] intentions. Another player would do it for his benefit. Knowing Ferna, it will not be this."
Asked about his reasoning for departing, Guardiola added: "Absolutely. I want the happiness of my players and absolutely we are going to play tomorrow for him and give him the best farewell moment, reaching again the semi‑final of the Champions League and try to go through again.
"I understand the players want to play, it is completely understandable. Not just because he is 35 or 36. Look what happened with Ferran Torres: he wanted to play so joined Barcelona. I understand Ferna wants go back to Brazil, with his father and mother there, and I am pretty sure the club is going to help him do what he wants."
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