Former Manchester City player reveals how Pep Guardiola prevented the signing of Kevin De Bruyne with a clever strategy
Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind Manchester City’s success, once turned down the opportunity to sign Kevin De Bruyne, according to former player Fernandinho. This surprising revelation suggests that Guardiola had a master plan in mind when it came to the Belgian midfielder.
Fernandinho, who left Manchester City in 2022 after almost a decade at the club, won an incredible 14 trophies during his time there, with most of them coming under the management of Guardiola. He and De Bruyne formed a formidable midfield partnership, contributing greatly to the team’s success.
Interestingly, Fernandinho hinted that Guardiola was preparing for life with De Bruyne before he even took charge at Manchester City. The Brazilian midfielder revealed that while Guardiola was the manager of Bayern Munich, he was asked if he would like to sign De Bruyne, who was then playing for Wolfsburg. However, Guardiola declined the offer, stating that he didn’t think De Bruyne would fit into their team.
This decision by Guardiola ultimately allowed Manchester City to swoop in and secure the signing of De Bruyne for £54 million in 2015. It’s difficult to believe that Guardiola would pass up the chance to work with one of the best players in recent years. However, Fernandinho suggests that it was all part of a pre-meditated choice made by Guardiola.
A year after De Bruyne’s arrival at Manchester City, Guardiola joined the club as manager. Fernandinho believes that Guardiola knew he was going to City and intentionally sent De Bruyne there. This calculated move has certainly paid off, as De Bruyne has become one of the best players in world football since joining Manchester City.
Since his arrival, De Bruyne has scored an impressive 98 goals and provided 165 assists for Manchester City. He has also won five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy along the way. It’s clear that Guardiola’s decision to bring De Bruyne to Manchester City has had a significant impact on the team’s success.
The partnership between Fernandinho and De Bruyne was a crucial part of Manchester City’s dominance in recent years. The two midfielders spent seven seasons together at the club, contributing greatly to the team’s achievements. Although Fernandinho has now moved on from Manchester City, his insight into Guardiola’s strategy sheds light on the manager’s meticulous approach to building a winning team.
In conclusion, Pep Guardiola’s decision to reject the chance to sign Kevin De Bruyne during his time at Bayern Munich proved to be a calculated move. It allowed Manchester City to secure the Belgian midfielder’s services, ultimately leading to their continued success. Guardiola’s strategic thinking and foresight have played a significant role in De Bruyne’s development into one of the best players in the world. The partnership between Fernandinho and De Bruyne was a key factor in Manchester City’s triumphs, and their contributions will not be forgotten.