Silva will leave City at the end of the season after 10 years of superb service, a period which has seen him win four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups.
After Vincent Kompany’s exit last summer, the first-team squad voted Silva as their new captain and he recently clocked up 300 Premier League appearances.
And Guardiola says the Spaniard’s experience, success and intelligence make him a candidate to be a manager once he finally hangs up his boots.
“I like and we need players on the pitch - experienced, intelligent ones - who see things,” Guardiola said. “We need that.
“About what David will do, I don’t know, but it would be nice [if he became a manager].
“A few days ago he played his 300th Premier League game for Manchester City.
“He has the ability, he is so intelligent.”
WATCH: David Silva: Made in Gran Canaria
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Meanwhile, Guardiola admits Aymeric Laporte is a doubt for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester United.
The French defender played 78 minutes of our recent 1-0 win at Sheffield United but has sat out last Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round win over Fulham, with Guardiola keen not to overstretch him after five months on the sidelines after damaging his cartilage and lateral meniscus during our win over Brighton back in August.
And he isn’t the only question mark ahead of tomorrow’s big game, with Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker, who missed the game with Fulham, both also still recovering from setbacks.
Guardiola says they will be assessed by the Club’s medical staff tomorrow before making a final decision on his starting XI.
“We have some doubts,” he said. “Tomorrow we have last tests and we will make a decision. The same doubts as before. Laporte is part of the doubts.”
Guardiola has also warned his players not to minimise United’s threats.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side won 2-1 at the Etihad in the Premier League back in December, with their ability on the counter-attack our undoing.
Guardiola has called on his players to learn the lessons of that defeat and use them to ensure we progress to the showpiece Wembley final on March 1.
“We have to be careful about their skills, the counter-attack, with how they can play if we let them play,” Guardiola added.
“We have to defend well.
“They don’t have anything to lose. They will attack.
“We know the best result is not to defend, we have to score goals.”
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