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Pep Guardiola Does the Unthinkable with Kevin De Bruyne Ahead of His Final Manchester City Match at the Etihad
Kevin De Bruyne is set to play his final home match for Manchester City this Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, bringing to a close a decade-long era of excellence. But ahead of the emotional farewell, Pep Guardiola has made it clear: there’s no guarantee the Belgian midfielder will start against Bournemouth, in a game that could determine City’s qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola emphasized that the team’s competitive objective will come before sentiment:
“What Kevin wants is for us to win the game to qualify for the Champions League. That’s what Kevin wants. It can’t be any other way. I will decide what gives us the best chance to win the game against Bournemouth.”
A Legacy Without a Guaranteed Finale
De Bruyne, now 33, announced back on April 4 that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2024/25 season, concluding a glittering chapter that includes six Premier League titles and a long-awaited Champions League crown.
But even with his legendary status, his presence in the starting XI for his Etihad farewell remains uncertain. Guardiola stressed that the decision will depend on De Bruyne’s physical condition and tactical needs, especially with Champions League qualification still hanging in the balance.
Champions League Race Still Alive
City currently sit sixth in the Premier League with 65 points and need at least four points from their final two matches to secure a place in next year’s Champions League. With so much on the line, Guardiola has no room for sentiment.
The idea that De Bruyne may not start his last game at the Etihad has stirred mixed emotions among fans, many of whom were hoping to pay tribute to one of the most iconic players of the Guardiola era.
But the message from the manager is clear: results come first. If that means benching a legend, so be it.
In what could be an emotional farewell night, sporting pragmatism may take precedence over nostalgia, leaving De Bruyne’s final bow at the Etihad written from the sidelines.
