´He´s one of the greatest´ – Guardiola pays tribute to departing De Bruyne

Pep Guardiola paid an affectional tribute to Kevin De Bruyne aft the Manchester City skipper announced connected Friday helium would permission the nine astatine the extremity of the season.

De Bruyne made the determination to Manchester successful 2015 from Wolfsburg and has gone connected to go 1 of the astir influential players successful the Citizens’ history.

The Belgian has won 16 trophies, which see 5 Premier League titles arsenic good arsenic City’s archetypal Champions League crown.

De Bruyne has made 413 appearances crossed each competitions successful his City vocation truthful far, scoring 106 goals and registering a staggering 169 assists.

Indeed, since De Bruyne joined City, nary subordinate has assisted much goals (118) oregon created much chances (827) than him crossed the large 5 leagues successful European football.

He has the second-most assists successful Premier League history, a full lone amended than erstwhile Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs, who tops the database with 162.

Of the players to marque 50+ appearances successful the Premier League, De Bruyne has the champion minutes-per-assist ratio successful the competition’s past (177).

De Bruyne’s playing clip successful caller seasons has been hampered by injuries, limiting him to conscionable 19 starts successful each competitions this word and 31 appearances overall.

But Guardiola compared De Bruyne’s interaction to that of different title-winning erstwhile City players, Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

“A bittersweet time but a blessed time for the information that I had the pleasance personally to unrecorded this clip with him,” Guardiola said.

“What helium gave us, each of us, with his humanity and his power successful our occurrence successful the past decade. Of course, portion of america is leaving.

“When Vincent oregon Sergio oregon David left, these players person contributions.

“He’s 1 of the top successful this country. I person to beryllium cautious for the respect for the players that person played unthinkable roles, but there’s nary uncertainty he’s 1 of the top for sure.

“The doors are unfastened present for the remainder of his life. He’s portion of this family, this club.”

5 – Most assists successful Premier League history, including each player’s minutes per assistance ratio:

162 – Ryan Giggs (287)
118 – Kevin De Bruyne (177)
111 – Cesc Fàbregas (238)
103 – Wayne Rooney (369)
102 – Frank Lampard (479)

Creators. pic.twitter.com/v5yvW97cwI

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 4, 2025

City, who person won the past 4 Premier League titles, said they are readying a “fitting tribute” earlier the extremity of the season.

“Manchester City volition bid an affectional farewell to Kevin de Bruyne this summertime erstwhile his declaration expires, bringing an extremity to a glittering 10-year play astatine the club,” the nine said.

“The Belgian, a planetary icon of the game, has played 413 matches for City.

“During that period, helium has scored 106 times, making him the archetypal City midfielder since Colin Bell to scope a period of goals.

“The nine and each of our fans volition present instrumentality the clip to present a fitting tribute and farewell to 1 of the top players to ever play successful the Premier League.”