Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the decision to not offer Kevin De Bruyne a new contract was made by the club as part of their broader strategy to continue a major squad overhaul this summer.
De Bruyne revealed on Friday that he would leave City at the end of the current campaign, posting an emotional message on social media.
The 33-year-old, who has spent a decade in Manchester, did not specify which party initiated the decision to part ways. “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye,” he wrote.
Guardiola had previously maintained that the discussions regarding De Bruyne’s future were not his concern.
“What happens belongs to him and the club,” the Catalan coach stated in February.
However, after the news broke this week, Guardiola clarified his involvement in the decision-making process, which ultimately left De Bruyne with no control over the outcome.
“The decision has been made by the club, and the club is the club,” Guardiola admitted.
“It was not easy for me to tell him it won’t continue.”
He explained that the decision was made collectively by himself, sporting director Txiki Begiristain, and the club’s management.
Guardiola had previously hinted at the possibility of parting ways with De Bruyne, as well as other injury-prone members of City’s squad, earlier this season.
“We have to sit down with the doctors, the physios, the players, and the agents and be clear that some of them cannot sustain playing every three or four days,” said Guardiola.
De Bruyne’s body has struggled to cope with the relentless football schedule over the past two seasons.
Guardiola acknowledged this week, “The last year and a half he was out injured because he gave everything for the club.
“He gave everything he had, both physically and mentally. There’s no doubt about it.”
According to The Telegraph, De Bruyne is reportedly earning around £400,000 per week.
If accurate, his departure will free up nearly £21million for City to invest in transfers or a new player’s salary next season.
Man City have long been linked with a move for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz.
However, they will need to outmaneuver Real Madrid to secure the 20-year-old, who is expected to cost over £100million.
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