‘One of many biggest’: De Bruyne hailed by Guardiola after confirming exit

Pep Guardiola lauded Kevin De Bruyne as “one of many biggest” gamers in Premier League historical past and mentioned it was a “unhappy day” after the Manchester Metropolis captain introduced he would depart on the finish of this contract in June. The Belgian is the membership’s most-decorated participant, profitable 16 main trophies, however was not provided an extension.

De Bruyne would be the last participant to go away Metropolis who was within the first-team squad earlier than Guardiola’s arrival. Metropolis signed him for €55m from Wolfsburg in 2015 and he has been an integral a part of their success, profitable six Premier League titles and serving to the membership elevate the Champions League for the primary time.

The 33-year-old launched a press release on Friday to announce his departure. “Whether or not we prefer it or not, it’s time to say goodbye,” De Bruyne wrote. “Each story involves an finish however this has positively been the most effective chapter.”

Guardiola paid lavish tribute to De Bruyne earlier than Metropolis’s recreation at Manchester United on Sunday. “You at all times should watch out, have respect for the gamers who play principal roles, and unimaginable gamers that play for the final, I don’t know, 20, 30 years on this membership,” the supervisor mentioned. “However come on, there’s little doubt he’s one of many biggest, for positive. Due to his consistency – besides the final 12 months, 12 months and a half, that he had damage issues – in vital video games and never vital video games, and each three days being there.”

De Bruyne has struggled bodily in current instances and been unable to safe an everyday beginning place, and Guardiola has admitted he wants gamers who can address the rigours of taking part in twice per week at excessive depth. De Bruyne mentioned final June he might be open to a transfer to Saudi Arabia due to the “unimaginable cash” however his subsequent vacation spot is but to be determined.

“Our success within the final decade, that might be unimaginable with out him,” mentioned Guardiola, who expects the membership to mark De Bruyne’s contribution with a statue outdoors the Etihad Stadium, becoming a member of these of Vincent Kompany, Sergio Agüero and David Silva. “I’ll wager some huge cash that it’s going to occur,” he mentioned.

De Bruyne’s contract will expire through the Membership World Cup, which can be held from 14 June to 13 July in the USA. There’s an choice for him to signal a deal that might cowl that event. “He has to determine, he has to speak, as a result of now with the [Club] World Cup, it’s a brand new contract, legally,” Guardiola mentioned. “Hopefully he can proceed taking part in soccer in one other place, and it is determined by the chance, taking part in there, for the contracts or accidents.”

Until De Bruyne goes to the Membership World Cup his last likelihood of a winner’s medal can be within the FA Cup, with Metropolis dealing with Nottingham Forest within the semi-final on Sunday 27 April. He additionally wrote in his farewell put up: “This metropolis. This membership. These folks … gave me EVERYTHING. I had no selection however to provide EVERYTHING again! And guess what – we gained EVERYTHING.”