Pep Guardiola admits it's a 'sad day' for Man City after Kevin De Bruyne announced he will quit the club this summer - as he hails 'incredible' midfielder

Pep Guardiola believes Kevin De Bruyne volition beryllium remembered arsenic 1 of English football's top ever players aft the Belgian midfielder announced helium volition leave Manchester City astatine the extremity of the season.

De Bruyne, 33, confirmed his determination connected Friday successful an affectional missive to City's fans, arsenic helium called clip connected his decade-long enactment astatine the Etihad.

He has played a cardinal relation successful City's epoch of dominance nether Guardiola, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Guardiola is adamant nary of it would person been imaginable without De Bruyne, and has admitted helium volition beryllium bittersweet to spot him determination connected this summer.

Asked for his thoughts connected De Bruyne's announcement, Guardiola said: 'A bittersweet day. And a blessed time for the information the pleasance personally we lived this clip with him, what helium gave to each of us, his humanity. 

'It's not indispensable to archer his occurrence with america successful the past decennary - intolerable to ideate without him. A bittersweet time due to the fact that a portion of america is leaving.'

De Bruyne has made 413 appearances for City implicit the past decade, scoring 106 goals and signaling 174 assists.

He has clip to adhd to that tally successful the last weeks of the season, with City inactive successful the hunt for much silverware up of their FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest aboriginal this month.

But nary substance what happens betwixt present and the summer, Guardiola is convinced De Bruyne's bequest is already secured.

'One of the top midfielders ever to person played successful this country, and I deliberation with Man City, there's nary doubt,' Guardiola said erstwhile delivering his verdict connected De Bruyne's presumption successful the game.

'Greatest oregon not the greatest, ever you person to beryllium cautious with players that played astatine Maine Road, unthinkable players successful the past 20/30 years successful this club. 

'But travel on, there's nary uncertainty he's 1 of the top for definite due to the fact that of his consistency successful important games, not important games, being determination each 3 days each the time. There is nary doubt.'