Pep Guardiola's Kevin De Bruyne next club message after Man City exit announced (2025)

Kevin De Bruyne will leave Manchester City in the summer after announcing he will not sign a new contract.

Pep Guardiola says the door is always open for Kevin De Bruyne to come back to Manchester City when he leaves in the summer, as he joked he would 'bet a lot of money' that the Belgian is awarded a statue at the Etihad Stadium.

De Bruyne announced he will not sign a new contract when his current City deal expires in the summer, with Guardiola paying tribute to a player he considers as one of the best to have ever represented the club. Guardiola also confirmed that talks will continue over whether his captain will sign a short two week extension to play in the Club World Cup - which finishes a fortnight after De Bruyne's contract ends.

Guardiola also expressed hope that De Bruyne will continue playing for as long as possible if his body allows, and the City chief hopes that will be at the highest level with the Belgian now set to weigh up his next move amid speculation linking him with a switch to Saudi Arabia and the USA. Here is every word Guardiola said on De Bruyne in his Friday press conference that was dominated by the bombshell contract news:

What is your reaction to De Bruyne leaving?

"It is a sad day. A happy day for the fact that the pleasure personally that I lived this time with him. What he gave all of us, his humanity and of course I don't have to say his influence on our success in the last decade. It would be impossible to imagine that without him. A sad day because a part of us is leaving.

"When Vincent left or Sergio left or David Silva left, these players have been a contribution. But still we have ten games, hopefully 11, and six games at home that we can still enjoy with our fans. I'm pretty sure he will get the love and the recognition from all of us that he deserves.

"I read he's been involved in 280 goals in terms of goals and assists. He's one of the greatest midfielders that has ever played in this country, and I think this club no doubt. Always when you say it's the greatest, it's not the greatest. You always have to be careful because of respect for the players who were at Maine Road and the last 20-30 years but come on, there's no doubt he's one of the greatest.

"Because of his consistency, except the last year, year and a half, that he had injury problems, and the consistency, and in important games and not important games, and every three days being there, there all the time. So that is no doubt."

Is it the right time?

"The most important thing is that he feels good right now. We spoke lately that he had problems but now he feels finally after the surgery he had on the hamstring he had problems in other parts of the body but now step by step he feels ready. The decision is made and all of us, to Michele, to the kids and his mum and dad, we wish the best."

How hard will De Bruyne be to replace?

"His assists, his goals, his vision in the final third that is so difficult to replace, because it's not, you know, everyone can make an action or two actions and assists, but during how many years and how many games, that makes him unique, at the end, this is a business. You know, the players have to perform well, the manager has to perform well, and we know that any person, you know, can discuss that his performance during this decade has been outstanding.

"So, we won a lot, a lot, a lot of trophies, and he has been involved in every single one. So that's why, that's why I always, I think we remember him. He's part of the club, I've seen his statement he has done in the club.

"I said to him, the doors are open for the rest of his life. So, whatever we want to do here in our part, so he's part of the family of this club, so the impact of some players transcends what you have done on the pitch."

How hard will he be to replace?

"Listen, he was a leader in terms of not in the locker room, but what he proved on the pitch. And of course the impact for the new players, and when they come up in the last years from the academy, or the new players from another clubs, they are shown in the training sessions and in the games, he's a guy who enjoys playing football. He sees it, and then play and can make, and his generosity has never played there, and think it was better than the other ones, he always was humble in that terms."

Will De Bruyne play at the Club World Cup?

"It's a good question. I don't know. He has to decide. We have to talk, the Club World Cup it's a new contract, legally. Hopefully he can continue playing football in another place, and it depends on the risk, you know, playing there for the contracts, or injuries, or the future. The club has to talk to him and he has to say what he wants to do."

Will it be a fitting end for him to play at the Club World Cup?

"Of course, it's the first time you play this competition, and at the end of the first three games, he is still under contract, I would say, we finished early June. But after that, if we go through, I don't know. So I cannot answer. Kevin has to tell, and after that as well, for the fact that the future legally, can be possible or not."

What conversations have you had with De Bruyne over his future?

"We had a special relation. Kevin is a special person and a special player who has been treated in a special way. Of course we had conversations. It's one decade. Do you know how many meetings, training sessions, how many good moments or bad moments. How many hugs, shouts.

"Except days off, and international breaks. Every single day we were together, thinking now it will be over. Come on. What should happen if you weren't affected? It was an emotional moment with Sergio and was not easy for me to tell him that he wasn't continuing because there are players and this situation is always so difficult. The emotions there are involved. They give us so much.

"Can you imagine the way we played, some moments and some seasons incredible, nice and attractive without Kevin? When Leroy or Raheem running behind, or the moments for Sergio in the pocket, and when we drop in, or Gabriel, or all the strikers there, they all benefited for the talent, the skills from Kevin. So, 280 goal involvements, goals and assists, it's huge. And seeing that, of course, we are going to enjoy the last two months here together, but of course, it's emotionally tough, it's difficult."

What are your best memories of De Bruyne?

"I should remember but when we arrived he was here. He's the oldest one. Before when I arrived, John and Gundo arrived. He's the oldest, now one decade when is the best moments? I don't know which one, has been so many. Now has been the impact to make a public decision. We remember with a big smile and the pleasure we could share together, especially our fans. The last game vs Plymouth, he had the goal, how the fans sing his name. Here in England the people recognise really well the players that have given something unique.

"I think he has been on the pitch and off the pitch, incredible, respectful, polite with the referees, polite with the opponents, with everything. So, this immaculate, what he has done in many sense, on and off the pitch, and this you remember forever. And I'm pretty sure, there is a part to announce in these days, because he can say bye in the way that he deserve."

Should he get a statue?

"I don't know. But I will bet a lot of money that it's going to happen. I don't know, but of course, come on, he deserves to be in this level."

Were you surprised at the news?

"I knew it. Days ago. It's not wake up in the morning that he extends the contract or doesn't extend the contract."

Can he still play at the highest level next season?

"I wish from the bottom of my heart. I want to make him happy. He's played the made years. He's going to make 34 years soon so he can still want to play. Always I say to players and Kevin as well if you have the desire and hunger to play, play. Play. Because when it's over it's over. Wake up with the hunger to go to training, go to play and be happy for the, you know, the nervous and the tension of that, you have to."

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