I want the best – Guardiola speaks on u-turn on De Bruyne’s exit from Man City

MANCHESTER — As the 2024-25 football season approaches its climax, Manchester City find themselves in a familiar position: battling for silverware on multiple fronts. However, this campaign carries an air of poignancy that sets it apart from previous seasons. Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian playmaker who has been instrumental to City’s era of dominance, is set to walk away from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has conceded that it would be “almost impossible” to find a replacement for De Bruyne, though he stopped short of suggesting there might be a last-minute reversal of the decision to allow the midfielder’s contract to expire.

De Bruyne, 33, confirmed earlier this year that his glittering nine-year spell with the Sky Blues would come to an end when his current deal expires in June. The announcement sent shockwaves through the Premier League, with many City supporters hoping recent weeks might have brought a change of heart from the club’s hierarchy.

Despite De Bruyne’s match-winning performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday night, where his sublime strike secured a crucial 1-0 victory to maintain City’s title push, Guardiola’s comments suggest the decision regarding the Belgian’s future remains unchanged.

“I want the best for Kevin, so it cannot be possible to have done these many years without him,” Guardiola told Sky Sports in his post-match interview. “He has been an incredible player, but the situation is what it is. It’s almost impossible to replace this kind of player.”

The Catalan manager added: “It is not just the performance, it is what he means to the heart of our fans for many, many years. The success we have belongs to the players.”

These words carry the weight of finality, suggesting that despite De Bruyne’s continued excellence, the club is preparing for life without their creative talisman

Since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in August 2015 for a then-club record fee of £55 million, De Bruyne has established himself as one of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders. His vision, passing range, and ability to dictate play have been cornerstone elements of City’s tactical approach under Guardiola.

The Belgian international has amassed an impressive collection of silverware during his time in Manchester, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups. The crowning achievement came in 2023 when De Bruyne played a pivotal role in City’s historic Champions League triumph, completing the treble and cementing the club’s place among Europe’s elite.

Individual accolades have followed too. De Bruyne has twice been named Premier League Player of the Season and has featured in the PFA Team of the Year on five occasions. His record of 101 Premier League assists places him fourth on the all-time list, despite having played significantly fewer games than those above him.

“Kevin’s contribution to this football club cannot be overstated,” said former City captain Vincent Kompany, now managing in the Premier League himself. “When you think of the modern Manchester City, you think of Kevin De Bruyne. His passing, his vision—he’s redefined what we expect from an attacking midfielder in this league.”

## Recent Resurgence Sparks Hope

De Bruyne’s final season at City has been something of a rollercoaster. A hamstring injury suffered on the opening day against Chelsea sidelined him for nearly four months, leading to speculation that his powers might be waning as he entered the twilight of his career.

However, since returning to fitness in December, the Belgian has demonstrated that class is permanent. In 18 Premier League appearances this term, De Bruyne has registered seven goals and 14 assists—a remarkable return that has reignited City’s title charge after a mid-season slump threatened to derail their campaign.

Friday’s winner against Wolves was a quintessential De Bruyne moment: receiving the ball on the edge of the area, creating half a yard of space, and curling a pinpoint finish beyond the goalkeeper’s reach. It was a goal worthy of winning any match and reminded everyone of what City will be losing come season’s end.

This purple patch has led to a groundswell of support among fans for the club to reconsider their position. Social media campaigns with hashtags like #KeepKDB and #OneMoreYear have gained traction, reflecting the supporters’ desire to see their midfield maestro remain in Manchester.

Former City defender Micah Richards voiced the sentiment of many when he said: “I can’t understand why City would let a player of De Bruyne’s quality leave when he’s still performing at such a high level. Look at what he’s done since coming back from injury—he’s been the difference-maker in so many games.”

While sentiment might dictate offering De Bruyne a new deal, City’s decision appears rooted in pragmatic considerations. At 33, the Belgian commands one of the highest salaries in the Premier League, reportedly earning in excess of £375,000 per week.

With strict financial fair play regulations to navigate and a squad that requires constant refreshment to maintain its competitive edge, the club’s leadership may view this as an opportunity to reallocate resources. De Bruyne’s departure would free up significant wage budget that could be utilized to secure the next generation of talent.

Football finance expert Dr. Rob Wilson explains: “Major clubs like Manchester City operate with both short and long-term strategies in mind. While De Bruyne remains a world-class player, the economics of offering a multi-year, high-wage contract to a player in his mid-thirties doesn’t always align with sustainable business practices.”

This approach is consistent with City’s handling of other aging stars. Club legends like David Silva, Sergio Agüero, and most recently İlkay Gündoğan were allowed to leave when their contracts expired, despite their continued contributions. In each case, the team evolved and continued to thrive.

Sporting Director Txiki Begiristain and his recruitment team have earned a reputation for planning player transitions well in advance. The signings of Phil Foden, who has developed into a world-class talent, and more recently Rico Lewis and James McAtee suggest the club is already preparing for the post-De Bruyne era

While City prepare for life without their creative fulcrum, speculation is rife about De Bruyne’s next destination. The Belgian has been tight-lipped about his future plans, but several options appear to be on the table.

Saudi Pro League clubs have reportedly prepared lucrative offers that would make De Bruyne one of the highest-paid footballers in the world. Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are said to be particularly keen, with contracts worth upwards of £500,000 per week being discussed.

Major League Soccer presents another possibility, with Inter Miami CF—co-owned by David Beckham and home to Lionel Messi—rumored to be interested in making De Bruyne their next statement signing. The lifestyle and commercial opportunities available in the United States could prove appealing as the Belgian looks toward the latter stages of his career.

A return to Germany has also been mooted, with Bayern Munich monitoring the situation closely. The Bavarian giants are undergoing a period of transition and view De Bruyne’s experience and quality as valuable assets in their rebuild.

Most intriguing, perhaps, are the whispers linking De Bruyne with a sensational move to one of City’s Premier League rivals. While such a transfer would be controversial, it would allow the midfielder to remain at the highest level of European football and potentially add to his impressive collection of records.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville weighed in on the speculation: “If I’m Arsenal or Liverpool, I’m doing everything I can to sign De Bruyne. Players like him don’t become available very often, and despite his age, he’s shown this season that he can still be the best player on the pitch in the biggest games.”

For Pep Guardiola, the departure of De Bruyne represents perhaps his biggest challenge since arriving at City in 2016. The Spaniard has built much of his tactical approach around the Belgian’s unique skill set, and finding a way to compensate for his absence will require significant adaptation.

“Pep’s genius has always been his ability to evolve,” notes tactical analyst Michael Cox. “We saw it when David Silva left, and again with Agüero. The team changed, but remained effective. With De Bruyne, though, the challenge is greater because so much of City’s play flows through him.”

Guardiola himself acknowledged this difficulty in his recent comments. By describing De Bruyne as “almost impossible” to replace, he recognizes that like-for-like substitution is not an option. Instead, City will likely need to adjust their approach, perhaps becoming less reliant on a single creative hub and distributing playmaking responsibilities more evenly across the midfield.

The manager’s contract situation adds another layer of intrigue to the situation. Guardiola’s current deal expires in 2026, and speculation about his own future has intensified in recent months. Whether the prospect of rebuilding without his midfield general influences his decision to extend his stay remains to be seen.

De Bruyne’s impending departure is emblematic of the wider transition taking place at Manchester City. The core group that has dominated English football for the past half-decade is gradually disbanding, with new faces taking their place.

Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, and Oleksandr Zinchenko departed two seasons ago. Last summer saw Gündoğan leave for Barcelona after captaining the team to the treble. Riyad Mahrez preceded him in moving to Saudi Arabia. Now, De Bruyne prepares to bid farewell, while questions surround the futures of other thirty-somethings like Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva.

In their place, a new generation is emerging. Phil Foden has blossomed into one of Europe’s premier attackers. Erling Haaland continues to shatter goalscoring records. Julian Alvarez, Rico Lewis, and recent signing Savinho represent the future.

This evolution presents both challenges and opportunities. While the departure of established stars inevitably disrupts continuity, it also creates space for tactical innovation and fresh energy. Guardiola has always embraced change, viewing it as essential to maintaining competitive hunger and preventing staleness.

City’s executive leadership shares this philosophy. CEO Ferran Soriano has spoken openly about the importance of squad regeneration: “The biggest mistake successful teams make is holding on too long. You must always be planning three years ahead, ensuring that transitions are smooth rather than sudden.”

## Fan Reaction

For City supporters, De Bruyne’s departure stirs mixed emotions. There is sadness at losing a player who has provided countless memorable moments and played such a significant role in the club’s most successful period. Yet there is also understanding that all good things must eventually end.

The Etihad faithful have grown accustomed to seeing beloved players move on, only for the team to continue its winning ways. This pattern has built trust in the club’s decision-making process, even when individual decisions might seem questionable in isolation.

“Obviously I’m gutted Kevin’s leaving,” says Tony Wilson, a season ticket holder of 30 years. “He’s been unbelievable for us. But the club’s been right more often than not with these big calls. If they think it’s time, I’ve got to trust them.”

That said, De Bruyne’s final home game at the Etihad promises to be an emotional occasion. Plans are already underway for a special tribute to the Belgian, recognizing his extraordinary contribution to the club’s history.

Before thoughts turn fully to farewells, De Bruyne and City have immediate priorities. The club remains locked in an intense three-way battle with Arsenal and Liverpool for the Premier League title, seeking what would be an unprecedented fifth consecutive championship.

There is also the small matter of the FA Cup, where City face local rivals Manchester United in the final later this month. Victory would secure another domestic double and provide the perfect send-off for their midfield maestro.

De Bruyne himself seems determined to end his City career on a high note. “I’m focused on winning as much as possible in the time I have left here,” he told reporters after the Wolves game. “This club has given me so much, and I want to repay that with more trophies before I go.”

For Guardiola, these remaining weeks of the season are about balancing immediate competitive needs with emotional considerations. De Bruyne deserves the opportunity to say goodbye on his terms, but not at the expense of the team’s pursuit of silverware.

“Every minute Kevin plays now is precious,” the manager acknowledged. “Not just for what he can still give us on the pitch, but for the fans to appreciate him while they can. His legacy here is secure, but we all want to add one more chapter.

While no single player can replicate De Bruyne’s particular gifts, the show must go on at Manchester City. The club’s recruitment team has likely been planning for this moment for some time, identifying potential targets who could help fill the creative void.

Names like Bruno Fernandes, Martin Ødegaard, and Florian Wirtz have been mentioned in media reports, though securing such established talents would require significant investment. Alternatively, City might look to promote from within, with promising youngster James McAtee returning from his loan spell at Sheffield United ready for greater responsibility.

The most likely scenario involves a combination of approaches: bringing in one established star while also adjusting the team’s structure to distribute creative duties more evenly across the squad. This would align with Guardiola’s preference for positional fluidity and collective responsibility.

Whatever path City choose, the standards will remain as high as ever. As club captain Kyle Walker put it: “Players come and go, even special ones like Kevin, but the expectations here never change. We’ll miss him enormously as a player and a person, but this club has always found ways to keep moving forward.”

Kevin De Bruyne’s journey at Manchester City represents one of the most successful player-club relationships of the modern era. From his arrival as a promising talent with a point to prove after his difficult spell at Chelsea, to his development into one of the world’s premier midfielders, his story intertwines with City’s rise to the summit of English and European football.

As Guardiola said, it’s almost impossible to replace a player of De Bruyne’s caliber. His combination of technical excellence, tactical intelligence, and competitive mentality has set a benchmark that few can aspire to match.

Yet football’s eternal truth is that no player is bigger than the club. Manchester City existed before Kevin De Bruyne and will continue long after his departure. The challenge for Guardiola and his team is to honor the Belgian’s legacy by maintaining the standards he helped establish while forging a new identity without him.

For now, though, there are still matches to be won, points to be secured, and potentially trophies to be lifted. De Bruyne’s Manchester City story isn’t quite finished yet. The final chapters remain to be written, and if his recent performances are anything to go by, they could be among the most compelling of all