Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his sadness and admiration following Kevin De Bruyne’s announcement that he will leave the club at the end of the season. As the Belgian midfielder prepares to depart after a decade of excellence, Guardiola made it clear that De Bruyne’s legacy will forever be cherished at Manchester City.
The announcement came just before City’s highly anticipated clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Guardiola taking a moment during his pre-match press conference to reflect on De Bruyne’s impact.
Guardiola’s Heartfelt Farewell to De Bruyne
Describing the news as both a “sad day” and a “happy day,” Guardiola praised De Bruyne for his contributions to Manchester City’s success over the past ten years. The Spaniard acknowledged the midfielder’s profound influence on the club’s dominance in English football.
“A sad day. A happy day for the fact that the pleasure personally that I lived this time with him,” Guardiola said. “What he gave all of us, his humanity and of course I don’t have to say his influence on our success in the last decade.”
De Bruyne’s departure comes as another emotional blow for Pep, who has previously seen club legends like Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, and David Silva leave the Etihad. Reflecting on those past exits, Guardiola admitted it is always difficult to bid farewell to players who have left such an indelible mark on the club.
“When Vincent left or Sergio left or David Silva left, and I would say more names, it is a sad day,” he continued. “But still, we have 10 games and hopefully 11, and six games at home that we can still enjoy with our fans.”
He assured that De Bruyne will receive the recognition and love he deserves from the club’s supporters throughout his final matches.
Kevin De Bruyne’s Unparalleled Impact at Manchester City
Since joining Manchester City from Wolfsburg in 2015, De Bruyne has cemented himself as one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever midfielders. His creative brilliance, passing accuracy, and vision have been instrumental in Pep’s tactical setup.
The numbers speak for themselves. Over 413 appearances, De Bruyne has scored 106 goals and delivered countless assists. Under Guardiola’s guidance, he has helped City win:
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Six Premier League titles
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Two FA Cups
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Five League Cups
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One Champions League trophy
He praised De Bruyne’s consistency and influence, stating that his performances have been exceptional throughout his time at the club. “Any person can discuss their performance and in this last decade he has been outstanding. We won a lot of trophies and he has been involved in every single one.”
As a key playmaker, De Bruyne’s assists, goals, and tactical intelligence have been crucial to Manchester City’s recent dominance in English football. Guardiola admitted that replacing him will be an incredibly difficult task.
“His assists, his goals, his vision in the final third is so difficult to replace. Over how many years and games, that makes him unique.”
“The Doors Are Open for the Rest of His Life” – Guardiola’s Open Invitation to De Bruyne
In his heartfelt tribute, Guardiola went beyond acknowledging De Bruyne’s on-field contributions. He emphasized the player’s impact off the pitch, highlighting his leadership, professionalism, and positive influence on teammates.
Guardiola confirmed that Manchester City will always welcome De Bruyne back, whether he chooses to return in a different capacity or simply visit the club. “The club said to him the doors are open for the rest of his life. Whatever he wants to do, he’s part of the family of this club.”
He added, “The impact of some players transcends even what they do on the pitch, and Kevin is one of them.”
Such statements from Guardiola reflect the deep mutual respect between the manager and player. It’s clear that De Bruyne’s legacy at Manchester City will extend far beyond his final game.
Manchester City will bid an emotional farewell to Kevin De Bruyne this summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to a glittering 10-year period at the Club
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 4, 2025
Guardiola Predicts a Statue for De Bruyne at Manchester City
As a testament to De Bruyne’s immense contributions, Guardiola believes the club will immortalize him with a statue. When asked about the possibility, Guardiola confidently stated, “I will bet a lot of money that Kevin gets a statue at the club.”
The Belgian has undoubtedly earned legendary status at Manchester City, and a statue would be a fitting tribute to his brilliance. His departure will undoubtedly be felt by the club, the fans, and Guardiola himself.
An Emotionally Tough Goodbye
Guardiola admitted that De Bruyne’s departure will be difficult to accept emotionally. Having worked closely with him for years, Guardiola has developed a special bond with the midfielder. The manager’s words during the press conference reflect both his admiration and genuine affection for De Bruyne.
“This is a business and important players have to perform well and managers have to perform well. But emotionally, it is going to be tough,” Guardiola confessed.
With 10 Premier League games remaining, Guardiola is determined to enjoy these last moments with De Bruyne in the squad. The midfielder’s departure may mark the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Manchester City players.
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