Finally Revealed Reason Why Man City Refused to Offer Kevin De Bruyne a New Contract Revealed
Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain made a bold decision to let go of a legend, and now the real reason behind it is finally clear.
Manchester City fans were left shocked when Kevin De Bruyne announced he would be leaving the club after nearly a decade of success. The decision came just 48 hours before the big Manchester Derby, leaving many surprised and wondering why the club would let the star leave. But now, the truth behind why City didn’t offer him a new contract has come to light.
According to Pep Guardiola, it was a joint decision made by himself, the club’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain, and the Manchester City board. The main reason? De Bruyne’s growing injury problems.
“He’s been injured for the last year and a half,” Guardiola said. “It happened because he’s given everything with his body and his mind. There’s no doubt about that.”
Despite De Bruyne’s incredible contributions to the team over the years being part of every major trophy win under Guardiola, City’s top officials felt it was time to plan for the future. Guardiola admitted: “The club has to move forward. Move on.”
The Belgian midfielder, who has racked up hundreds of appearances and goals for City, has struggled to stay fully fit in recent seasons. His recurring injuries made it hard for him to maintain the high standards he’s known for.
“It’s very difficult to replace someone like Kevin,” Guardiola added. “But we have to find other qualities, just like we did when Sergio Aguero left and Erling Haaland came in.”
Guardiola made it clear that this was not a decision taken lightly. He spoke emotionally about De Bruyne’s legacy, saying the midfielder gave the club “everything” and left unforgettable moments for the fans. But even the best stories have to end eventually.
While City would not be able to find another player exactly like De Bruyne, the club is already preparing for the next chapter. And with stars like Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and others developing fast, Guardiola believes the future is still bright.
Finally, De Bruyne’s exit affects more than simply one player. It’s about a club making a difficult decision for the greater good.
