Pep Guardiola hails ‘extraordinary’ Kevin De Bruyne after Man City exit news

The Belgium playmaker announced on Friday he would leave City when his contract expires at the end of the season.

By contributor Andy Hampson, PA
Published
Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola discuss something on the touchline
Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola will part ways at the end of the season (Laurence Griffiths/PA)

Pep Guardiola feels Kevin De Bruyne’s glittering Manchester City career has been “extraordinary”.

The Belgium playmaker announced on Friday he would leave City when his contract expires at the end of the season.

In a glorious decade at the club, the 33-year-old has won 16 trophies, including six Premier Leagues and the Champions League, and scored 106 goals and made 174 assists in 413 appearances.

Yet after two seasons of declining returns due in no small part to injury problems, both club and player have come to an acceptance that the time is right to part ways.

Kevin De Bruyne holds the Premier League trophy
Kevin De Bruyne’s successes at City include six Premier League titles (Martin Rickett/PA)