In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the football world, Manchester City’s midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne has disclosed the unexpected circumstances surrounding his impending departure from the Premier League champions. The Belgian international, widely regarded as one of the greatest playmakers in Premier League history, has shared candid details about how he discovered the club’s decision not to extend his contract beyond this seaso
At 33 years old, De Bruyne’s illustrious career at Manchester City is drawing to a close after he announced his departure through social media in early April. Set to leave as a six-time Premier League champion, the Belgian has cemented his legacy as one of the most influential midfielders ever to grace England’s top division. His technical brilliance, visionary passing, and leadership qualities have been instrumental in City’s domestic dominance under Pep Guardiola.
The announcement follows a season where De Bruyne has continued to demonstrate his world-class abilities despite facing injury challenges. Even as he approaches the twilight of his career, his performances have remained at an elite level, making City’s decision all the more surprising to many observer
Speaking to media after City’s 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park—where he was applauded by opposition fans upon being substituted—De Bruyne revealed the shocking manner in which he learned about the club’s decision. “There was a little bit of shock,” De Bruyne confessed. “I didn’t have any offer from them through the whole year, and the club made a decision.”
The midfielder explained that he was informed of his fate during a brief meeting with Manchester City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, and CEO Ferran Soriano. This unceremonious approach to ending his nine-year relationship with the club clearly caught him off guard. “Obviously, I was a bit surprised, but I have to accept it,” he continued. “Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing, but I understand that clubs have to make decisions.
De Bruyne’s candid interview revealed the emotional toll the situation took on him, particularly in the days immediately following the meeting. The timing of the news was especially difficult as his family was away on holiday, leaving him to process the information alone. “It was half a week till I reported it out and it wasn’t nice. My family weren’t home,” De Bruyne shared. “They were on holiday, so it was a bit weird but it is what it is
The Belgian described feeling a significant sense of relief once he publicly announced his departure. The period between learning of the club’s decision and making it public knowledge was particularly challenging for him.
“After the decision was made and when I came out, it was more of a relief when I reported it to the outside world compared to when I knew and nobody else knew,” he explained. “You don’t know what to do with the emotion with everybody, and how to handle it at the clu
Despite the personal disappointment, De Bruyne has maintained his professional standards on the pitch. His performance against Everton demonstrated his unwavering commitment to Manchester City’s pursuit of trophies in his final months with the club.
“Now it’s out, it’s fine, and people see the way I am. I try to do my best and win games for the team. I love playing football, so that’s it,” he stated, emphasizing his determination to end his City career on a high note.
This level of professionalism has earned him respect from across the football spectrum, with even rival supporters acknowledging his exceptional talent and contribution to English football. The applause from Everton fans as he left the field at Goodison Park stands as testament to the universal admiration he commands.
City’s decision not to offer De Bruyne a new contract has raised eyebrows throughout the football community. Despite his age, the Belgian has continued to prove his value at the highest level, consistently delivering performances that few midfielders worldwide can match.
The lack of any contract discussions throughout the season suggests a strategic decision by the Manchester City hierarchy rather than a performance-based evaluation. This approach to handling such a pivotal figure in their recent success has prompted questions about the club’s long-term planning and treatment of veteran players.
For a player who has been instrumental in establishing City as England’s dominant force, the manner of his departure appears surprisingly abrupt and lacks the ceremonial respect typically afforded to players of his stature.
When De Bruyne departs Manchester City at the end of June, he will leave behind a legacy few players can match. Beyond his six Premier League titles, his contributions to City’s sustained excellence have been immeasurable. His vision, creativity, and technical execution have defined an era for the club.
The statistics only tell part of the story. His assist records, goals from midfield, and match-winning performances have been complemented by an intelligence and adaptability that have allowed him to evolve with the team. Under Guardiola’s guidance, De Bruyne has developed into a complete midfielder capable of influencing games in multiple ways.
His departure will undoubtedly leave a significant void in City’s midfield—one that will prove challenging to fill even with the club’s considerable resources. Players of De Bruyne’s caliber emerge rarely, and his impact at the Etihad Stadium will be remembered long after his departure.
The question now turns to what the future holds for De Bruyne. At 33, he likely has several years of top-level football remaining, and clubs worldwide will be monitoring his situation with interest. His comments suggest he remains confident in his ability to perform at the highest level, indicating he will seek a club where he can continue to compete for major honors.
Rumors have already begun circulating about potential destinations, with clubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Major League Soccer all linked with the Belgian star. His next move will be closely watched, as it could significantly impact the competitive balance at the elite level of European football.
For Manchester City, attention will turn to finding a suitable replacement—no small task given De Bruyne’s unique skill set and influence. Recent reports suggest they are already targeting several Premier League stars as potential successors, though replicating the Belgian’s impact will require more than just technical ability
De Bruyne’s situation highlights the often unsentimental nature of modern football, where even the most celebrated players can find themselves subject to cold business decisions. Despite his legendary status at the club, City’s approach to his contract situation demonstrates how quickly circumstances can change in elite sports.
This revelation offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes realities of football at the highest level, where emotional connections frequently take a backseat to strategic planning and financial considerations. For fans who have idolized De Bruyne throughout his City career, the manner of his departure may seem at odds with his contributions to the club’s golden era.
With the Premier League season approaching its conclusion and Manchester City still competing on multiple fronts, De Bruyne’s focus remains on adding to his impressive collection of trophies before his departure. His professional approach to the situation reflects the character that has made him not just an exceptional footballer but a respected figure throughout the game.
For the remaining matches of the season, City supporters will undoubtedly savor every moment of De Bruyne’s final performances in the sky-blue shirt. Each trademark cross-field pass, each perfectly weighted through ball, and each thunderous strike will carry added significance as the curtain begins to fall on his Manchester City career.
When he eventually walks away from the Etihad Stadium for the final time as a City player, he will do so having established himself as one of the club’s all-time greats—a pivotal figure in transforming Manchester City from ambitious challengers to serial winners.
Kevin De Bruyne’s revelation about how he discovered Manchester City would not be renewing his contract provides a rare insight into the business side of football. Despite his legendary status and continued excellence on the pitch, the Belgian international found himself on the receiving end of a decision that clearly came as a surprise.
As he prepares for the next chapter of his career, De Bruyne leaves behind an indelible mark on Manchester City and the Premier League. His legacy as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation is secure, regardless of where his career takes him next.
For Manchester City, the challenge of replacing such an influential figure looms large. For football fans, there will be the bittersweet experience of watching the final performances of a Premier League legend before he moves on to new challenges. What remains certain is that Kevin De Bruyne’s impact on English football will be remembered long after his departure from Manchester City.
