Manchester City bid an emotional farewell to Kevin De Bruyne last night as the playmaker turned out for the final time at the Etihad Stadium.
A few weeks ago, De Bruyne announced he’s leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, and that time is almost upon us.
Kevin De Bruyne could still make one last appearance for City against Fulham at the weekend as the 2024/25 Premier League season comes to an end.
But last night, De Bruyne played for the final time at the Etihad Stadium as a Manchester City player.
The club put on a brilliant send-off for the star, and fans got the chance to pay tribute to a true Premier League great.
While last night was very emotional, it’s difficult to ignore the fact De Bruyne does not particularly want to leave City.
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Pep Guardiola admitted De Bruyne’s exit from Manchester City is a club decision, and fans found that hard to take, even though the Belgian isn’t the same player as a few years ago.
And fans were singing something last night that surely had to have been slightly awkward for Pep Guardiola to hear.
What Man City fans sang about Kevin De Bruyne during Bournemouth game
Photo by Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images
De Bruyne started last night’s game against Bournemouth.
The star should have scored in the game, missing a gilt-edged chance after a ball across by Omar Marmoush.
But De Bruyne still played well, and in the 69th minute of the game, he was taken off by Guardiola so that he could lap up a standing ovation from the fans.
De Bruyne is a legend of this club, but not everyone believes he should be going.
And some of those people were in the crowd last night and made their feelings clear. The Athletic reported that supporters sang ‘Kevin De Bruyne, we want you to stay’.
Of course, Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain were the ones who decided this outcome with De Bruyne, and the manager must have felt slightly uncomfortable.
Those fans will now have to accept the fact De Bruyne will leave.
And potentially, they could be left feeling very uncomfortable with De Bruyne not ruling out staying in England and playing for another Premier League club.
Fans are uncomfortable over the prospect of De Bruyne actually playing against City, but it’s something that is a very real possibility.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
A great send-off for a Man City legend
It’s understandable that many voiced their feelings about De Bruyne last night.
While he’s no longer the player he once was, De Bruyne has shown he can still influence games.
But the likelihood is that City were not prepared to pay De Bruyne what he wants for what would likely be a reduced role next season.
At least City put on a brilliant show for him last night after the game and have paid tribute to him really nicely, with the club also set to unveil a statue in his honour.
It is no less than he deserves, for being a truly incredible footballer in a Manchester City shirt.