Manchester City manager has weighed into De Bruyne’s plans to leave the club at the end of the season, MySportDab reports.
We reported earlier that Kevin De Bruyne has announced he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season.
“…Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what the place has meant to our family,” an excerpt of his farewell message to the fans, posted on his social media handle, reads.
Notably, De Bruyne’s imminent Man City exit is not a surprise. The Belgian has seen his role in the squad diminish in the past two seasons due to niggling injury problems and below-par on-field performances.
However, he remains one of the legendary figures in Man City’s rise under Pep Guardiola and was expected to continue with the club on a new but short-term deal.
Nevertheless, the competition for the places and Guardiola’s gradual shift to younger talents was a clue his services may no longer be needed hence his decision to leave for another fresh challenge.
Now, Pep Guardiola has dropped his two cents on the Belgian’s decision to leave at the end of the season. Speaking ahead of the highly-anticipated Manchester Derby on Sunday, Guardiola revealed the club had wished De Bruyne stayed.
According to him, it was an open door for the player to continue and possibly end his career with the club due to his enormous contributions.
“…I said to him the door is open for the rest of his life. He’s part of the family of this Club, his impact transcends what he’s done on the pitch,” an excerpt of Guardiola’s statement, as shared on the club’s social media handle, reads.
Kevin De Bruyne is expected to take up a new challenge away from the Etihad outfit at the end of the season and has been linked to a move to Saudi Arabia.
