Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola pays tribute to Kevin De Bruyne, who has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, ahead of Manchester Utd derby
04/04/2025
CGA, manchester, Uk
04/04/2025
CGA, manchester, Uk
Category
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SportsTranscript
00:00Good afternoon Pep, I think you know where we're going to start. Kevin De Bruyne has announced that he's leaving the club in the summer. First of all, your reaction?
00:08Sad day, a happy day for the fact that the pleasure personally that we leave or I leave this time with him.
00:24He give us all of us, his humanity and of course don't have to tell his influence in our success in the last decade.
00:38That would be impossible imagine without him and it's a day because of course it's part of us, he's leaving.
00:46So when Vincent left or Sergio left or David Silva left, these players have been contribution and I would say more names.
00:57Of course it's a time that yeah, it's a sad day but still we have 10 games and hopefully 11 and 16 at home that we still can enjoy with our fans.
01:16He will get, I'm pretty sure, the love and the recognition that all of us, the fans of course, that he deserves.
01:27Where does he rank in terms of players you've managed but also within Premier League history?
01:37I think I've been involved in every today or yesterday 280 goals in terms of goals and assists in the Premier League.
01:45So the Premier League is one of the greatest midfielders I ever played in this country and I think this club is no doubt about that.
01:54Always when you say he's the greatest, he's not the greatest so it's like always have to be careful for respect for the players who play main roles
02:04and incredible players that play for the last, I don't know, 20, 30 years in this club but come on, there's no doubt he's one of the greatest for sure.
02:15Because of his consistency, except the last year, the year, year and a half, that he had injury problems and the consistency in important games and not important games
02:26and every three days being there, there all the time. So that is no doubt.
02:31Finally for me, does it feel like the right time? He's had a contract in the summer, it feels like the squad is getting a refresh, he's obviously had a few injuries to deal with as well.
02:41Does it now feel like the right time?
02:43The most important thing is that he feels good right now. I think we spoke recently, lately, that he had problems and now he feels finally, you know,
02:53because after the surgery he had in the hamstring, he had the problems here in the other part of the body but now he feels, you know, step by step, he feels ready.
03:02His decision is made and of course for all of us we wish him, to him, to Michel, the kids, mum and dad, so absolutely the best.
03:14Hi Pep, 10 years you spent here at the club, you've spoken a little bit about the impact that he's had on the club, those who have played with him, the fans.
03:24What have you learnt from him as a human being?
03:28His assists, his goals, his vision in the final third that is so difficult to replace because he's not, you know, everyone can make an action, two actions,
03:39but during how many years and how many games that makes him unique, at the end this is a business.
03:47You know, the players have to perform well, the managers have to perform well and we know that any person, you know, can discuss that his performance during this decade has been outstanding.
04:00So we won a lot, a lot, a lot of trophies and have been involved in every single one.
04:06So that's why, that's why I always, I think we remember him like, you know, he's part of this club.
04:12I've seen in his statement he has done in the club, he said to him, the doors are open for the rest of his life.
04:21So whatever we want to do here in Abra, part, so it's part of the family of this club.
04:28So it's the impact that some players transcend, it's just even what you have done on the pitch.
04:35So, and Kevin is one of them.
04:37In terms of that, particularly the leadership role that he's had, the impact he's had on the players coming through the academy, how hard will it be to replace that?
04:47Listen, he was a leader in terms of not in the buckle, I would say in the locker room or something, in his leadership he was proving, you know, during, on the pitch.
04:58Do that.
05:00And of course the impact for the new players and when come up in the last years from the academy or the new players from, from, from another clubs.
05:09He has shown in the training sessions and in the games and he's a guy who he enjoy playing football.
05:15So he likes, you see it, you know, and then play and can make and, and his generosity has never played that and, you know, think it was better than the other ones.
05:26He's always was humble in that terms.
05:29And yeah, it's what it is.
05:32Pep, do you know yet when he will leave? Will he be part of the squad for the Club World Cup or will he leave at the end of the Premier League season?
05:39It's a good question, I don't know.
05:41I think he has to decide, you have to talk, because now with the World Cup is a new contract, legally, you know.
05:47If he, you know, hopefully can continue playing football in, in, in other place and it depends on the risk, you know, playing there for the contracts or injures or the future.
05:59So honestly, I don't know.
06:01I think the club has to talk to him or he has to say what, what he want to do.
06:06Would it be a fitting end to his City career though to go to the United States with you to be part of that City team playing in what is a hugely historic tournament?
06:16Of course.
06:18Of course, it's the first time you play this competition.
06:21And at the end of the first three games is still under contract, I would say.
06:25We finished early June, but after that, if we go through, I don't know.
06:29So I cannot answer because his answer for, I think Kevin has to sell to, to, to tell.
06:35And after that as well for the fact that, that the future, you know, is legally can, can be possible or not.
06:45Just finally then, obviously there is a game this weekend, a big game, the Manchester derby as well.
06:51How are you preparing for the game?
06:54I mean, how is the squad in terms of shape?
06:56How have everyone come through Wednesday?
06:58How are you feeling ahead of that match?
07:00No, good.
07:02So last two games were good and hopefully we continue in the last eight games in the, in the Premier League.
07:08And, and yeah, prepare today.
07:11The people rest and tomorrow we're going to prepare the game.
07:15Pep, on Kevin again.
07:18Time is obviously a sensitive matter to all of us, but especially for sportsmen, the careers are so short.
07:24I imagine that for him, it must be hard to say goodbye, to make this decision.
07:29Have you had conversations with him about it?
07:32And if you could share a bit of...
07:34No.
07:36It was nice.
07:38I think always we had a special relation.
07:41Kevin's a special person, a special player.
07:43So in a special person, special player might be treated in a special way.
07:48And of course we had conversations with that, of course.
07:53So it's one decade.
07:55So you know how many games together, how many meetings, how many training sessions, how many good moments, bad moments,
08:01how many hugs, how many shouts, how many...
08:04You know, it was involved in one decade.
08:07Except the day off, except international breaks, except the holidays, every single day we were together.
08:14So I'm thinking now it will be over, so come on.
08:18We will not be...
08:21What should happen if you are not a fact?
08:25It's an emotional moment.
08:27Always with Sergio, for example, it was not easy for me to tell him not to continue,
08:34because there are players that have done that club like we did right now.
08:38And this situation is always so difficult.
08:41Because emotions are there, they are involved.
08:44You know, because they give us too much.
08:49So everybody knows that.
08:51Can you imagine the way we played?
08:53Some moments and some seasons incredible, nice and attractive without Kevin?
08:59When Leroy or Rahim were running behind, or the moments for Sergio in the pocket,
09:04and when we were dropping, or Gabriel, or all the strikers there,
09:08they were a benefit for the talent and the skills from Kevin.
09:11So in the amount, 280 involved goals and assists, it's huge.
09:19And seeing that, of course, we are going to enjoy the last two months here together,
09:26but of course it's emotionally tough, it's difficult.
09:32Pep, just thinking of some of Kevin's best parts of his Man City career,
09:37I always think the end of the treble season, when he was playing with that hamstring injury for so long,
09:43do you think that's one of his best areas and what are your fondest memories of his time here?
09:49I should remember, but listen, when all of us arrived, he was here.
09:54So he's the oldest one.
09:57It was before when I arrived, and John arrived with the first Gundo, all the players.
10:04So he's the oldest.
10:06Take now and reflect in one decade what is the best moment, I will not say which one.
10:11There have been many.
10:15And that is nice.
10:17Now is the impact to make a public decision, but we remember with a big smile
10:22and the pleasure that we could share all together, especially with our fans.
10:27Last game, when we scored against Plymouth here, the goal, how the people sing is still there.
10:33People here in England especially, not just in this club, in England recognise incredibly well,
10:38like I think any other country, recognise really, really well the players that have given something unique.
10:43I think they have been on the pitch and off the pitch incredibly respectful,
10:48polite with the referees, polite with the opponents, with everything.
10:52It's immaculate what he has done in many senses on and off the pitch.
10:56And this he will remember forever.
10:58And I'm pretty sure there are parties I like to announce in these days
11:06because he can say bye in the way that he deserves.
11:11And the club have commemorated players like Vincent and David with statues in the past.
11:17Do you think that's something that the club will look to do with Kevin?
11:19Listen, I don't know, but I will bet a lot of money that it's going to happen.
11:25That's for sure.
11:27But I don't know.
11:29But of course, come on, he deserves to be in this level.
11:35Pep, were you surprised by the news? Were you expecting it?
11:39I knew it.
11:41But when did you know that he was...?
11:44Days ago.
11:46Sorry?
11:47Days ago.
11:48But was there a point this season when you thought he might be close?
11:54No, no, no. It's not for one day, for another one.
11:56It's not wake up in the morning and say,
11:58Kevin's going to extend the contract or Kevin extend the contract.
12:01It's not about that.
12:03And do you still think he has the ability and the fitness
12:06to keep playing at the highest level beyond this season?
12:09I wish. From the bottom of my heart, I wish.
12:12I want to be happy. I want to make him happy.
12:14And he's played the last years.
12:16He's going to make 34 years old soon.
12:18He still wants to play.
12:20As I said to the players and Kevin as well,
12:22if you still have the desire and the hunger to play, play.
12:25Play.
12:27Because when it's over, it's over.
12:29But still enjoy every morning, wake up in the morning,
12:31go to training, go to play,
12:33and be happy for that.
12:36The nervous and the tension of that, you have to.