For all Pep Guardiola’s sentimentality and praise of Kevin De Bruyne, he has revealed his ruthless side in the departure of Manchester City’s imperious playmaker from the club.
Guardiola has confirmed that along with his close friend and colleague, City’s outgoing sporting director Txiki Begiristain, he made the decision to bring the curtain down on De Bruyne’s illustrious spell at the Etihad.
De Bruyne has talked of the lure of the Saudi Pro League and has been linked with a move to San Diego in the MLS, but was apparently open to staying at City, even though it would have been in a reduced role.
But with his 34th birthday looming at the end of June, his influence on the pitch waning despite his high wages, Guardiola, took the cold-eyed decision that De Bruyne would play no part in his rebuild of a squad that has endured, by the club’s own high standards, such a poor season.
Asked if De Bruyne or the club has made the decision to call it time at the end of his contract in June, Guardiola said it was the latter.
“The decision has been made for the club, and the club is the club,” said the City manager. “Me, Txiki [Begiristain], and the club, so this is what it is. It was not easy for me to tell him it won’t continue.”
De Bruyne started only 20 games in all competitions last season and so far this term has made only 19 starts. Those figures seemed unlikely to improve had he extended his stay to an 11th campaign with Guardiola indicating that 751 career appearances for club and country has taken its toll on the Belgium international’s body.
He added: “The last year and a half he was out injured because he gave everything for the club. Everything he had in his body and his mind, he’s done it, so there’s no doubt about it.”
De Bruyne’s four goals and seven assists in all competitions this season is down on normal levels. His last goal came in the FA Cup against Championship side Plymouth and his last two Premier League assists came in the 6-0 win against relegation-threatened Ipswich in January.
Top Kevin De Bruyne moments for Manchester city pic.twitter.com/ds34w3yxfh
— Victor 🧑🌾 (@saintofweb3_) April 5, 2025
He is one of the Premier League’s highest earners, understood to be paid £400,000 a week and with City intent on more signings this summer they were always unlikely to commit to extending that level of ...
