War of Words – What Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola have said in Manchester City contract dispute | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne has voiced his frustrations over a lack of empathy from the Manchester City board in contract talks and relayed his disappointment over the collective drop-off this season weighing in heavily on him not being offered a new deal.

The Belgium international sent shock waves across the football industry when a message posted across his social media channels in April confirmed this would be his final season in Manchester. However, we know now there are more nuances to the story.

It has been no secret that officials at the Etihad would have tallied De Bruyne’s injury record since the closing stages of the treble-winning season – when the midfielder played through a hamstring issue to etch the club’s name in history – when making a decision on his future.

De Bruyne has admitted recurring injuries have derailed him from performing consistently at his best in the last few seasons, but if you read between the lines, the City man certainly feels he has a lot of fuel left in the tank and that things could have panned out differently.

From interviews earlier in the season, there appeared a general consensus amongst all parties that De Bruyne needed to prove his fitness over a consistent period in the second half of the campaign for talks to be held on his future and a new contract to be discussed.

However, much to De Bruyne’s frustration, there was no new contract offered despite a resurgence from the playmaker in recent months – a key reason for Manchester City’s stellar form and results of late that will likely lead them to next season’s UEFA Champions League.

City Xtra recap a timeline of all that’s been said between De Bruyne, the club and Pep Guardiola since the 33-year-old confirmed he will be leaving Manchester City upon the expiry of his current deal at the end of June.

April 4 – De Bruyne confirms Manchester City exit and Pep reacts in pre-Manchester United press conference

On April 4, De Bruyne broke a long-standing silence on his future by announcing he will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season. A statement posted across his social media channels read:

“Dear Manchester, seeing this – you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player. Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes.

“That day is here- and you deserve to hear it from me first. Football led me to all of you -and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back!

“And guess what – we won EVERYTHING. Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michèle and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. ‘Manchester’ will forever be on our kids’ passports- and more importantly, in each of our hearts.

“This will always be our HOME. We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride. Every story comes to an end but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together! Much love, KDB 17…”

In what did not seem a co-ordinated move but a rather hurried statement posted in response to De Bruyne’s announcement, a Manchester City statement in the not-so-immediate aftermath read:

“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 Belgian, a global icon of the game, has played 413 matches for City.

“During that period, he has scored 106 times, making him the first City midfielder since Colin Bell to reach a century of goals. The 33-year-old has won a remarkable 19 major honours with City, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, one UEFA Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and three Community Shields.

“Kevin announced the news today on his personal Instagram account. The Club and all of our fans will now take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League.”

On the same day as De Bruyne’s confirmation, speaking in a press conference prior to Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United that weekend, Pep Guardiola reacted to De Bruyne’s message and if the Belgian would participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.

“It’s a good question, I don’t know. I think he (De Bruyne) has to decide, we have to talk, because now with the (Club) World Cup it’s new, and the expiry of contract.

“Hopefully he can continue playing football in another place, and it depends on the risk of playing there, the contracts, injuries, or the future. Honestly, I don’t know. I think the club has to talk to him or he has to say what he wants to do,” Guardiola said.

On who was involved in making a decision on De Bruyne’s future, Guardiola said: “The decision had been made by the club. The club is the club. Me, Txiki (Begiristain) and the club. This is what it is.”

April 12 – De Bruyne speaks after leading City to 5-2 win over Crystal Palace

After spearheading Manchester City to a 5-2 thumping of Crystal Palace having been two goals behind after 21 minutes, De Bruyne spoke at length with TNT Sports and was expectedly asked about his future and the sands of time running against his time in Manchester.

De Bruyne said: “10 years is not going to be changed by 20 minutes (versus Crystal Palace and trailing 0-2); I’m going to enjoy every moment that I have here (at Manchester City) and I’m happy that we found a way to perform well today.

“It’s been a hard year, having a hernia wasn’t fun, but now I’ve been pain-free for the last six weeks and that’s a massive difference; playing with pain or not… But now I feel free, I’m able to do a lot of training, and I feel I can do a good job.”

On where his future lies, the midfielder added: “I don’t know what’s going to happen but I want to play on, so we’ll see where I can end up. I don’t know how I’m going to feel [when I leave Manchester City]; I’ve been here so long, my family has been here for 10 years, my kids were born in Manchester, lived their whole life here.

“It’s going to be something different for them. I think they’re a bit scared, excited, but it’s a bit of an unknown because we don’t know what’s going to happen for the moment. But I want to enjoy, play good football like I did today, and for the rest, I’ll be fine. If I can play football and my family is happy, I’m good.”

In another interview with ViaPlay after the win over Crystal Palace, De Bruyne was pressed on his options as he approaches the end of his Manchester City contract.

He said: “Whatever project is available, I’m willing to listen. I love football, I love to play football, and if a nice project comes and my family is also good with that, then we’re able to make a decision.”

On whether his time in England is over after Manchester City, the playmaker replied: “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know. It could be, it could be not. It’s very hard because the decision of leaving has not been that long (ago) so nothing can be decided in a week.

“And also in the football world, I don’t think everything comes in a week. It goes very slowly. I’ve not even seen my family since the announcement. So I need to speak [with them] and I need to see whatever team wants me, so I don’t know, I have no idea, so we’ll see.

“Next year, I don’t know what’s going to happen but if teams come and can convince me something sporting is nice, a nice project, I’m able. I know I’m not the youngest anymore but I still feel I’m able to perform at a very high level. I don’t know what teams are interested.”

April 19 – De Bruyne causes stir with mixed zone reporter chat

After helping City to a crucial 2-0 win away at Goodison Park, De Bruyne chose to stop in the mixed zone whilst exiting Everton’s stadium to catch up with reporters and let them in on discussions with Manchester City over a new deal – throwing the cat out of the bag.

He said: “There was a little bit (of shock). I didn’t have any offer from them the whole year and the club made a decision. Obviously, I was a bit surprised but have to accept it. Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing but I understand clubs have to make decisions.

“I told them (Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano) I feel I still have a lot to give. I know I’m not 25 anymore, but still feel I can do my job. I’m open for anything (next) because I have to look at the whole picture. I’m looking at sporting reasons, family, everything together, what makes most sense for me and my family.

“I still feel I can play at a good level, but I’ll have to make a decision once I really know a little more. It was half a week till I reported it, it wasn’t nice. My family weren’t home. They were on holiday so it was a bit weird. After the decision and when I came out, it was more relief when I reported it to the outside world compared to when I knew and nobody else.

“You don’t know what to do with the emotion with everybody and how to handle it at the club. Now it’s out, it’s fine, people see the way I am. I try to do my best and win games for the team. I love playing football, that’s it. It’s basically why Manchester City made the decision (to not offer me a new contract) because the whole team has struggled.

“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal then maybe they would take another decision. They told me what the decision was and I can’t really say what they think on the inside.

“I still think I’m in good shape, played way more than I did last year except the hernia. I feel good and the rhythm is coming. I don’t feel I want to share (the exact reasons) because it’s basically more business-wise for them and they made a decision on that.

“It was not really a long conversation. It was just what they told me. I have to accept the situation even though I feel I can still do a good job but that’s it.”

April 26 – Guardiola pressed on De Bruyne prospects at Club World Cup ahead of FA Cup semi-final

Previewing Manchester City’s 2-0 triumph in the FA Cup semi-final over Nottingham Forest, Guardiola was asked about reports that came out earlier in the week over a reluctance from De Bruyne to play at the FIFA Club World Cup in fear of a possible injury that could derail him joining his next club.

“I don’t know any info about that,” Guardiola responded to the suggestion.

May 2 – De Bruyne reacts to teammate disappointment after scoring winner against Wolves

De Bruyne scored the only goal of the game as Manchester City took a giant step towards securing UEFA Champions League football for the 2025-26 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wolves at the Etihad Stadium.

“A lot of teammates have spoken to me and I think they’re sad also that I have to go, but sometimes it goes like this in life.

“But I think the way that I’m performing and acting like a teammate is how everybody should supposed to be. I give everything and I want to win the game, so that’s it for me,” he told Sky Sports after the win.

On his future, the playmaker said: “I don’t know, unfortunately. I don’t know yet. I think I’ve shown that I can still play here (at Manchester City or in England) otherwise I don’t do what I do these last four or five weeks. That is it from my point.”

Speaking to TNT Sports and as quoted by Jack Gaughan of Mail Sport, De Bruyne was quizzed on the chances of him playing for Manchester City at the Club World Cup.

De Bruyne said: “I don’t know (about the FIFA Club World Cup). For me, it will depend on whatever happens in future, depending on what team I’ll go and what competition I’ll play.

“And also if the new team doesn’t want me to play, doesn’t want to risk. I haven’t really spoken to Manchester City about it (playing at the FIFA Club World Cup), so I don’t know. If they want to have a conversation, we can. But I’m not sure about this.”