2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Jeremy Cross)
What a shambles has been. The . Instead, all he's got back is an unfathomable lack of respect.
City bosses have . Despite having probably made the decision at the start of 2025, when most clubs choose who will be staying or going. It all means De Bruyne is now left in the ridiculous position of still being under contract, but not knowing if he will be going to the Club World Cup in America with Pep Guardiola's side.
And if he does, he will be out of contract before the tournament finishes, although two week extensions can be negotiated. I'm not suggesting for one minute that De Bruyne has done enough this season to deserve an extended deal at the Etihad. There has been the odd exceptional performance to turn back the clock.
But in the main, the brilliant Belgian has looked his age, like someone well past his peak. But his immeasurable contribution to City's remarkable success during the last decade, means the very least De Bruyne deserves is to be allowed to have a say in his own future. Instead, he was left to stew at home, after being informed the club had made a decision to end his City career following a meeting with Txixi Begirstain (Director of Football) and Ferran Soriano (CEO).
At the time he got told, De Bruyne was home alone with just his thoughts of confusion, because his family were on holiday. "I don't feel like I want to share (the exact reasons), because it's basically more business-wise for them (City), and they made a decision based on that," said De Bruyne. "It was just what they told me, and then there's nothing.
I have to accept the situation, even though I feel like I can still do a good job. But that's it." The very fact De Bruyne is less than impressed, speaks volumes for how he's been treated.
Seeing De Bruyne annoyed is more rare than a goal from Manchester United flop Rasmus Hojlund. But it's understandable, considering he has spent two years battling to overcome crippling injuries, to get back to some semblance of form and fitness. Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter! From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
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You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, Perhaps the fact De Bruyne was holding out for the same wages he's on now, despite his age, counted against him. He will be 34 in the summer. But Mohamed Salah will be 33 in the same month (June), and look how Liverpool have treated one of their own legends.
Aside from being one of the greatest footballers of his generation, De Bruyne just also happens to be a thoroughly decent bloke. When he negotiated his last contract, he did it on his own to avoid both himself and the club shelling out extortionate agents fees. Just imagine how much clubs like City would save, if every footballer took the same approach as De Bruyne? Yet this is how calculating and cold football can be at the highest level.
And even the true greats are not immune..
