Kevin De Bruyne Reflects on Surprising Exit from Manchester City and Future Plans

Kevin De Bruyne has expressed surprise over Manchester City’s decision not to offer him a new contract, admitting that he was “a little bit” taken aback by the move. The Belgian midfielder, 33, confirmed that the club made the decision without any prior negotiations or offers for a new deal.

De Bruyne, City’s most decorated player with 19 titles, has been a cornerstone of the club since joining in 2015 from Wolfsburg. Despite his success and continued high performance, he will leave the club at the end of the current season after City chose not to extend his contract.

“I’ve not had any offer the whole year,” De Bruyne said. “They just took a decision. Obviously, I was a bit surprised, but I have to accept it. I still feel like I can perform at this level, but I understand that clubs have to make decisions.”

With Manchester City currently in fourth place in the Premier League, De Bruyne hinted that his contract situation may have been different had the team been in better form. “Maybe if the team hadn’t struggled, and I had come back from injury and settled in like normal, maybe they would have taken a different decision,” he reflected. “I still have a lot to give. I know I’m not 25 anymore, but I feel like I can still do my job.”

De Bruyne made his intention to leave the club public on April 4, describing the announcement as a “relief” after keeping the news internal for some time. “It’s a bit weird because it’s only been a short time,” he said. “Once the decision was made and I shared it, it was more of a relief. When I knew and nobody else did, you don’t know what to do with your emotions.”

Despite his departure, De Bruyne remains at ease with the situation. “I don’t feel awkward about it,” he added. “It is what it is, and I have to accept the decisions made. I’ve always tried to give my best for the club.”

Looking ahead, De Bruyne hinted that he could continue his career in the Premier League, saying he’s “open for anything.” He emphasized the importance of considering both his personal and professional future. “I have to look at the whole picture, considering sport, family, everything together, and what makes the most sense,” he said. “I still feel like I can play at a good level, but I’ll make a decision once I have a clearer idea of what’s available.”

As for whether he will participate in City’s upcoming Club World Cup campaign, De Bruyne remained uncertain. “I don’t know,” he said, leaving his involvement in the competition up in the air.