Frank Christian
Last month, Kevin De Bruyne revealed his decision to depart from Manchester City at the season’s end.
After an impressive decade at the Etihad Stadium, De Bruyne is preparing to say farewell, with his final home game scheduled for May 20 against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
This match will mark the official end of De Bruyne’s remarkable tenure at Man City, during which he contributed to securing 19 significant trophies.
Planned events for his farewell include De Bruyne being honored with a guard of honor from his teammates at the end of the match, followed by a speech on the pitch. He will also receive gifts from the wife and son of the late Man City icon Colin Bell.
However, amidst the preparations for his send-off, uncertainty has emerged regarding De Bruyne’s inclusion in Guardiola’s starting lineup against Bournemouth.
In a recent statement ahead of the match, Guardiola refrained from confirming whether De Bruyne would start in this meaningful game.
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What did Pep Guardiola say about Kevin De Bruyne’s final home match for Man City?
At a pre-match press briefing, Guardiola addressed questions about De Bruyne’s opportunities in his last home appearance for the club. The manager openly stated (comments via The Guardian) that his decisions would hinge on what best serves the team.
Manchester City currently occupies the sixth position in the Premier League with two matches left, yet they have not secured their place in next season’s Champions League.
Guardiola noted that a chance at Champions League qualification is ‘what Kevin desires,’ saying,
“Kevin’s priority is for us to win and earn a spot in the Champions League next season. That’s what he wants. It’s essential. I’ll choose what I believe gives us the best opportunity to win against Bournemouth.”
Since joining Man City in 2015, De Bruyne has notched up 108 goals and 177 assists over 420 appearances. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his playtime in this pivotal farewell match, the evening at the Etihad is bound to be poignant for the Cityzens as the midfield star takes his leave as a club legend.
Man City updates and related articles
- Kevin De Bruyne clarifies his stance on Man City’s Club World Cup decision
- List of trophies won by Pep Guardiola as manager: Achievements with Manchester City, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich
- Pep Guardiola shares insights on the future of England star with Man City
