Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that the summer departure of legend Kevin De Bruyne has come about because of a 'club decision'.
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- De Bruyne to leave Man City
- Guardiola reveals it was a 'club decision'
- Reveals difficulty of breaking the news
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WHAT HAPPENED?
On Friday, De Bruyne announced his departure from Manchester City after spending 10 seasons with the eight-time Premier League champions and winning 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles. The Belgian midfielder is set to become a free agent during the summer transfer window.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Over the course of the season, a number of questions were raised about De Bruyne's desire to leave City this summer, as talks of a contract extension remained off the radar. However, Guardiola has now revealed that it was indeed City's decision not to give the Belgian a new deal, and the Catalan tactician revealed the difficulty of breaking the news to the Premier League legend.
- AFP
WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID
Speaking to the media, Guardiola said: "The decision has been made for the club, and the club is the club. Me, Txiki [Begiristain, sporting director], and the club, so this is what it is. It was not easy for me to tell him it won’t continue.
"The last year and a half, he was out injured because he gave everything for the club. Everything he had in his body and his mind, he’s done it, so there’s no doubt about it."
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WHAT NEXT FOR DE BRUYNE?
The Belgian's future still remains unknown as he has been linked with a number of different clubs, including some in Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer.
