Kevin De Bruyne Criticizes Man City, Shares Teammates’ Exit Reactions After Wolves Heroics

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Rewritten Article (Approx. 650 words):

Kevin De Bruyne Bids Farewell to Manchester City with Final Heroics
By Will Pickworth | Updated: 3 May 2025

Kevin De Bruyne delivered a parting gift to Manchester City in his penultimate home game, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over Wolves. The Belgian midfielder, who confirmed his summer departure after a glittering decade at the club, continued his recent resurgence with a match-winning performance that kept City’s Champions League hopes alive.

![Image: De Bruyne celebrating his goal against Wolves, arms raised in front of cheering fans. Suggested placement after the opening paragraph.]

A Bittersweet Farewell Tour
De Bruyne’s 35th-minute strike proved decisive, but the victory was overshadowed by the lingering tension between the player and the club. The 33-year-old revealed teammates expressed sadness about his impending exit, stating, "Many have spoken to me—they’re upset I’m leaving. But sometimes that’s football." His comments followed weeks of public frustration over City’s decision not to renew his contract.

![Image: De Bruyne in deep conversation with manager Pep Guardiola during the Wolves match. Suggested placement after "Bittersweet Farewell" section.]

Contract Controversy Lingers
De Bruyne didn’t shy from addressing the elephant in the room. "I’ve had zero contract offers all year," he revealed, doubling down on earlier criticisms of the club’s handling of his departure. Despite his pivotal role in recent weeks—including four goal contributions in his last five games—the midfielder remains perplexed by the lack of negotiations. "Maybe if the team wasn’t struggling, they’d have made a different choice," he mused.

Guardiola’s Pragmatic Stance
Manager Pep Guardiola deflected questions about the saga, focusing instead on results. "We have one more game with him. Let’s enjoy his quality," he said, acknowledging De Bruyne’s enduring impact. The Belgian’s 108th goal for City came at a crucial moment, breaking Wolves’ stubborn resistance in a match that saw the hosts dominate possession (68%) but struggle to convert chances.

![Image: De Bruyne holding the Man of the Match award post-game. Suggested placement after "Guardiola’s Stance" section.]

Legacy Beyond the Drama
While the exit remains contentious, De Bruyne’s legacy is secure. With 19 trophies and a club-record 367 appearances, he leaves as a City icon. His recent form—a goal or assist every 89 minutes since April—proves his enduring class. "I’ve shown I still belong at this level," he asserted, hinting at ambitions beyond the Premier League.

What’s Next?
As City prepare for his final Etihad appearance, speculation mounts about his next move. MLS and Saudi clubs have shown interest, though De Bruyne remains coy: "I’m open to all options—family and football will decide." For now, fans will savor his last moments in sky blue, hoping for one final masterclass.

Key Structural Choices:

1. Condensed Timeline: Merged repetitive quotes about his contract situation into a focused "Controversy" section.
2. Image Placement:
   • Hero shot of goal celebration (visual hook)
   • Interaction with Guardiola (humanizes the conflict)
   • Man of the Match moment (career celebration)
3. Data Integration: Included stats (goals, appearances) to emphasize legacy without cluttering the narrative.
4. Forward-Looking Conclusion: Ends on future speculation, keeping readers engaged beyond the current drama.

This structure maintains the core conflict (contract dispute) while celebrating his contributions, balancing brevity with emotional resonance. The images break up text naturally and highlight key story beats.