Pep Guardiola Celebrates Kevin De Bruyne's Impact As He Leaves Manchester City

Add as a preferred source on Google

Pep Guardiola expressed heartfelt admiration for Kevin De Bruyne following the announcement of his departure from Manchester City at the end of the season. De Bruyne, who joined from Wolfsburg in 2015, has become a pivotal figure in City's history. The Belgian midfielder has secured 16 trophies, including five Premier League titles and City's inaugural Champions League victory.

De Bruyne's influence on the pitch is evident through his impressive statistics. He has made 413 appearances for City, scoring 106 goals and providing an astounding 169 assists. Since joining City, no player in Europe's top five leagues has assisted more goals (118) or created more chances (827) than him. His assist tally is second only to Ryan Giggs in Premier League history.

Despite injuries limiting his playing time recently, De Bruyne's impact remains undeniable. This season, he managed just 19 starts across all competitions, totaling 31 appearances. Guardiola likened De Bruyne's contributions to those of former City legends like Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, and David Silva.

"A sad day but a happy day for the fact that I had the pleasure personally to live this time with him," Guardiola stated. "What he gave us, all of us, with his humanity and his influence in our success in the last decade." He emphasized that De Bruyne is one of the greatest players in England's football history.

The club announced plans for a fitting tribute before the season concludes. Manchester City stated: "Manchester City will bid an emotional farewell to Kevin de Bruyne this summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to a glittering 10-year period at the club." The club aims to honour one of the Premier League's finest players appropriately.

De Bruyne holds an impressive minutes-per-assist ratio of 177 in Premier League history among players with over 50 appearances. His achievements have cemented his status as one of City's all-time greats. Guardiola noted that while parting is difficult, De Bruyne will always be part of City's family.

City fans will have time to celebrate De Bruyne's legacy before he departs. His remarkable career at Manchester City has left an indelible mark on both the club and English football. As he prepares to leave, both club and supporters are set to honour his contributions fittingly.