Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne could both leave Manchester City in 2025 and fans think they’ve worked out their next club.
Guardiola made Premier League history by securing Manchester City’s fourth successive league title on Sunday with De Bruyne at the heart of their success yet again.
The Belgian has played less minutes than usual this season due to injuries but has still managed four goals and ten assists in just 17 league appearances.
Both men have been at City for almost a decade but question marks remain over their long-term future at the club, both have a contract which is due to expire in 2025.
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Guardiola admitted after the win against West Ham that he is ‘closer to leaving than staying’ but confirmed he will manage the side next season while De Bruyne is believed to be one of Saudi Arabia’s top targets for the summer transfer window alongside Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker.
However, a completely different destination has been touted for both men when their contract expires at City - New York City FC.
X user @RealTomie claims a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) could be on the cards as executives in New York are eager to ‘herald in the start of a new era and stadium’.
The City Football Group owned club currently play their games at the iconic Yankee Stadium but the venue is primarily used for baseball and construction of their new ground is scheduled to begin this summer and is expected to take 30 months to complete.
The report adds Guardiola has lived in New York before and there is growing confidence that he could make the move back to the United States, taking De Bruyne with him.
“New York new stadium and developments, CFG £1bn investment, World Cup, brand enhancements, easy pay days for PEP and KDB who love New York and don’t want to go to a rival,” Tolmie added on X.
One fan added that City might be lining up Xabi Alonso if Guardiola does decide to depart.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence Alonso was expected to leave this season but has signed on another year. Also the same 25/26 season where we may be looking to replace Pep! City had Pep in place a year in advance, I suspect we’ll know Pep’s decision already & have his replacement,” he wrote.
Another fan said: “MLS (and at NYCFC since it’s under the CFG umbrella) are a perfect landing spot for both. Going to any other team at this point wouldn’t really benefit Pep's career. Very little stress in MLS.”
One more added: “100% agree everybody was saying Kev would go Saudi but I thought USA and Pep won't quit football so will stay with CFG.”
City Football Group co-founded New York City FC in 2013 with the club playing their first season in the 2015 MLS season.
They won their first MLS Cup in 2021 and are managed by ex-Manchester City woman manager Nick Cushing.
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne, MLS, Xabi Alonso
Marcus Banks