It Wasn’t Solely My Decision – Guardiola Addresses Kevin De Bruyne Departure

It Wasn’t Solely My Decision – Guardiola Addresses Kevin De Bruyne Departure

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he advised the club’s iconic midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, to leave the Premier League side. After a remarkable ten years that included numerous trophies, such as the prestigious UEFA Champions League and six Premier League titles, De Bruyne is set to depart from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Although De Bruyne was open to the prospect of extending his stay at Manchester City—despite anticipating a reduced role as the team undergoes a transition—Guardiola, alongside the club’s departing director of football, Txiki Begiristain, ultimately opted not to extend his contract.

In his remarks, Guardiola stressed the importance of the club’s continued evolution. “This decision was made collectively; it wasn’t solely mine,” he stated. “It involved myself, Txiki, and the entire club. This reflects our current position.”

Guardiola also recognized De Bruyne’s extraordinary influence, acknowledging the difficulty of finding a replacement for such a talented player. “The club must keep progressing, and replicating a player of his caliber is incredibly challenging,” he noted. “These are the qualities we need to seek.