Unwilling to give up! De Bruyne and Guardiola s full record of the confrontation between Manchester City

Belgian international De Bruyne recently publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of empathy for Manchester City's senior executives in the contract renewal negotiations, and admitted that the overall decline in the team's overall performance this season has caused him to not win a new contract.

In April this year, De Bruyne announced via social media that this would be his last season at Manchester City, which shocked the football world. But as time goes by, the complexity of the event gradually emerges. Since the end of the season when Manchester City won the triple crown, club executives have begun to evaluate the injury history of the midfield core. Although he insisted on fighting with injuries (hamstring problems) and wrote history for the team, this seemed to be a key obstacle to the renewal negotiations.

De Bruyne admitted that repeated injuries have made it difficult for him to maintain his best shape in the past few seasons, but the lines still reveal his confidence in himself and that he could have had a different ending from the team. In the interview at the beginning of this season, all parties reached a consensus: if De Bruyne can prove his long-term health in the second half of the season, there is still hope of renewal negotiations.

However, although the midfielder has returned to form recently (his recovery is also a key factor in Manchester City's recent strong performance and is expected to lock in the Champions League qualification next season), the club has not submitted a new contract. This result obviously frustrated De Bruyne.

Manchester City and the team media sorted out the timeline of the remarks of De Bruyne, the club and coach Guardiola since April, restoring the entire picture of this contract tug-of-war.

April 4 - De Bruyne announced his departure. Guardiola responded to the press conference before the Manchester City Derby. After a long silence, De Bruyne announced his departure from the season through social media on April 4:

"To Manchester:

You may have guessed the ending after reading this. Please allow me to say bluntly: This will be my last few months as a Manchester City player. It is not easy to write these words, but professional players will eventually face this day. This day has arrived, and you should know it first from me. Football takes me to this city and to you. I did not expect it when chasing my dreams. This time will completely change life. This city, this club, the people here... have given me everything. I can only repay with everything! We have won everything, whether we want or not, it is time to say goodbye. Surry, Rom, Mason, Michelle and I, the gratitude for this city is beyond words. ‘Manchester’ will always be printed on the children’s passports, and more importantly, stay in the hearts of each of us. This is always home. We are grateful to this city, the club, the staff, teammates, friends and family. This decade of journey has been endless. Every story will finally come to an end, but this chapter is undoubtedly the best. Let us cherish the last time! Love you, KDB 17. "

Manchester City then issued a statement, suspected hastily responding:

"Manchester City will bid farewell to De Bruyne, whose contract expires this summer, ending his glorious decade in the club. The Belgian superstar played 413 games for Manchester City, scoring 106 goals, becoming the first midfielder to reach a 100-goal milestone after Colin Bale. At the age of 33, he won 19 important trophys with the team, including 6 Premier League and 2 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, 1 Champions League, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super League Cup and 3 Community Shields. The club and fans will use the most solemn way to unanimously respect the best player in the Premier League history. "

On the same day, Guardiola was asked at the press conference before the Manchester City Derby whether De Bruyne participated in the Club World Cup:

"It depends on him. We hope he can continue his career in the future, but we need to consider contract risks, injuries and other reasons. Su. The club will communicate with him. "

Talking about the decision-making power for renewal, Guardiola said: "The decision is made by the club, and I, Begilistan and the club participate. This is the reality."

April 12 - After leading the team to reverse Crystal Palace 5-2, De Bruyne made his first statement

After the director's 5-2 reversal when Manchester City was behind 0-2, De Bruyne made his first reversal, Interview with TNT Sports:

"10 years will not change due to a 20-minute reversal. I will cherish every moment in Manchester City. For me, the past year has been difficult, and hernia injuries have caused me pain, but the past six weeks have become painless. The feeling of painless playing football is very different. Now I can focus on training and playing."

Talking about the future:

"I don't know what will happen, but I still want to continue playing football. It’s unpredictable how I feel after leaving Manchester City, my family has lived here for ten years and the children were born in Manchester City. This is a brand new challenge for them, but as long as we are happy, I will be satisfied. ”

Facing the interview with the team reporter, he further stated:

"I am willing to listen to any attractive project. Football is my love, and as long as my family supports me, I will make a decision. Leaving England? I'm not sure, everything needs time to settle. ”

April 19 - The mixed interview area triggered the inside story of renewal

After the away win against Everton 2-0, De Bruyne revealed the details of the renewal to reporters:

"(No renewal was received) did surprise me. The club did not offer any offer throughout the season and they made the decision. I understand the team's considerations, but I still think I can maintain a high level.

I have expressed to Begiristan and Soriano that ‘the tank still has oil’, but they have made the decision. Future choices require comprehensive competitive and family factors. After announcing my departure, my family was on vacation, which complicated me. Now that everything is made public, I feel relieved. ”

He hinted that club decisions are related to the overall performance of the team:

"If the team did not experience a trough this season, the ending might be different. But this is football. ”

April 26 - Guardiola responded to rumors of the Club World Cup in De Bruyne

Before the semi-finals of the FA Cup, Guardiola was asked about the rumors that "De Bruyne refused to play in the Club World Cup due to concerns about injury":

"I know nothing about this. ”

May 2 - After killing Wolves, he talked about his teammates' reluctance

De Bruyne scored the winning goal to help Manchester City defeat Wolves 1-0. After the game, he told Sky Sports:

"Many teammates felt sad about my departure, but this is life. I will fight to the last moment with a professional attitude. ”

About the future:

"I proved that I can still be in the Premier League, but the next company has not yet been confirmed. As for the Club World Cup? It depends on the attitude of the new owner. ”

This contract game that lasted for several months reflects the cruelty and warmth of professional football. When the legend comes to an end, what is left is not only trophy and data, but also a complex narrative about loyalty, choice and farewell.