“One of the greatest midfielders ever” – Pep Guardiola lauds Kevin De Bruyne’s impact on Manchester City and Premier League | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has hailed Kevin De Bruyne’s impact on Manchester City and the Premier League after the midfielder confirmed he will be leaving the club in the summer.

The 33-year-old has won a remarkable 19 major honours at the Etihad Stadium – including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, one UEFA Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and three Community Shields.

De Bruyne is the only current Manchester City first-team player to have been with the club before Guardiola was appointed as manager in 2016.

Together, Guardiola and De Bruyne have been at the heart of and led City to the greatest heights in the Premier League and Europe, including a historic treble in the 2022-23 season.

“One of the greatest midfielders ever to have played in this country, and I think with Manchester City – there’s no doubt,” Guardiola said on De Bruyne in his pre-Manchester United press conference on Friday afternoon.

“Greatest or not the greatest, always you have to be careful with players that played at Maine Road, incredible players in the last 20-30 years in this club.

“But come on, there’s no doubt he (De Bruyne) is one of the greatest for sure because of his consistency in important games, not important games, being there every three days all the time. That is no doubt.

“His assists, goals, vision in the final third is so difficult to replace. Everyone can make an action, two actions, or an assist, but during how many years and games, that makes him unique.

“At the end, this is a business and players have to perform well, the manager has to perform well, and not any person can discuss that his performances over the last decade have not been outstanding! We won a lot, a lot of trophies, and he has been involved in every single one, so that’s why always.

“I think we’ll remember him as part of this club, his statement, the club has said to him that the doors are open for the rest of his life. Whatever he wants to do here in another part, he’s part of the family of this club. The impact of some players transcend beyond what he has done on the pitch and Kevin is one of them.”

De Bruyne’s announcement comes after 18 months of recurring injuries that have derailed him from performing to his best. When asked if this is the right time for City and De Bruyne to part ways, Guardiola said: “What is important is that he feels good right now.

“We spoke recently, lately, that he had problems but now he feels, finally, because after surgery in hamstring he had problems in other parts of the body, but now he feels ready. “The decision is made, and of course all of us wish him, (his wife) Michelle, the kids, mum and dad, absolutely the best.”