Kevin De Bruyne Set to Exit Man City After a Decade of Dominance — But Was It Really His Call?

MANCHESTER, England

After a glorious decade filled with magic, medals, and moments that redefined the Premier League, Kevin De Bruyne is officially calling time on his Manchester City career at the end of the season. It’s a farewell that feels both inevitable and heartbreaking, but the questions it raises are anything but simple. Was it really time to go, or did the club force the hand of one of the greatest midfielders to ever grace English football?

The announcement came on Friday and landed like a thunderclap across the football world. Aged 33, De Bruyne’s decision to walk away from the Etihad came not in a blaze of glory but with a quiet sense of closure—a tone echoed in his social media post: “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye.”

This wasn’t a matter of contracts lost in negotiation or a falling out in the dressing room. According to manager Pep Guardiola, the decision came directly from him and technical director Txiki Begiristain. “It was not easy for me to tell him it won’t continue,” Guardiola admitted, his voice weighed with emotion during a press conference that should have been about Sunday’s Manchester Derby.

Make no mistake—this was not your average parting of ways. It’s the end of an era. De Bruyne has amassed 16 trophies since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015: six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups, and a Champions League trophy that capped off City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season. He was more than a player; he was the blueprint for what Guardiola wanted in a midfielder.

And yet, this season hinted at decline. Four goals and seven assists in all competitions. Sporadic influence. A reminder that even legends can fade. His last influential performance? That iconic comeback against Newcastle in January. Since then, a couple of assists here and there, but no game-defining displays. The magic was flickering, not burning.

City, known for their tough stance in negotiations, likely balked at offering De Bruyne another mammoth contract, especially on his current £400,000-a-week wage. They played hardball with Ilkay Gundogan last summer. Why should KDB be any different?

Still, the idea of De Bruyne not getting a chance to say goodbye on his own terms has sparked mixed emotions. Guardiola’s revelation confirms what many feared: this wasn’t entirely De Bruyne’s decision. That’s what makes this goodbye controversial.

So, what next for the Belgian maestro?

Interest from Saudi Arabia has been bubbling for over a year. De Bruyne even admitted last June that he was “open” to a move to the Middle East. The money, the lifestyle, the schedule—all appealing for a man looking to ease into retirement. But he also has three young kids, one of whom, Mason, is a budding footballer himself. Would uprooting them for a final payday make sense?

There were once serious talks with San Diego FC, MLS’s new 2025 expansion team. But those negotiations have reportedly fizzled, and insiders say the American outfit has dropped their claim. That leaves De Bruyne at a crossroads: a Saudi switch, a lower-tier European league, or a surprise new suitor yet to emerge?

The summer of 2025 promises to be a wild one at the Etihad. Guardiola himself has admitted this season hasn’t gone to plan: “We don’t deserve a bonus, not even a watch,” he quipped recently. With over £180 million already spent in January, more transfer activity is inevitable.

But departures are just as likely. Kyle Walker is expected to leave after his loan to AC Milan. Gundogan’s one-year extension clause remains untouched. Jack Grealish is unsettled and could be looking to jump ship after missing out on the Euros. Injuries have slowed John Stones and Nathan Ake. And there’s talk around the exits of Bernardo Silva, Ederson, and Matheus Nunes.

Even fringe names like Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee, and Nico O’Reilly may not return. In short, this summer could trigger the biggest squad overhaul since Pep took the reins in 2016.

And what of the FIFA Club World Cup?

Technically, De Bruyne’s contract runs until June 30. That makes him eligible for the group stage of the 32-team Club World Cup hosted in the U.S. If City reach the last 16, he could sign a short-term deal to play. FIFA’s rule adjustments even allow players to sign with different teams solely for the tournament. But does De Bruyne need that? Would he risk injury in a glorified pre-season warm-up?

More likely, he bows out at the Etihad’s final home game against Bournemouth on May 18—a fitting farewell for a legend. Unless City reach the FA Cup final, in which case the schedule may shift.

Either way, a statue seems inevitable. Guardiola has already hinted as much. It’s not just a tribute; it’s a necessity.

For now, fans will relive those iconic crosses, those thunderbolts from distance, those no-look assists. Kevin De Bruyne didn’t just play football; he composed it.

City may carry on, but it will never sound quite the same.