“He should walk” – Pep Guardiola sends direct message to Kevin De Bruyne over final Manchester City matches | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne has been told by his manager Pep Guardiola to slow down his exits from the pitch during his final few games as a Manchester City player.

The Belgium international confirmed earlier this month that he would be bringing an end to his time at the Etihad Stadium after 10 sensational years of service to the club following a conversation with Manchester City officials.

In light of a heartfelt statement issued on his social media channels, De Bruyne has since spoken to the media on numerous occasions and recently revealed his belief that his exit was a business decision made by the club, who at no point offered him a new contract.

Confirmation of Kevin De Bruyne’s pending exit has left many Manchester City fans filled with emotion as they watch his final appearances for the club having established himself as arguably the side’s greatest-ever player since his arrival in 2015.

And it is not just home supporters at the Etihad Stadium who have given De Bruyne a warm send-off thus far after his announcement, with Everton fans at Goodison Park applauding the 33-year-old on multiple occasions on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking after the weekend’s 0-2 win over the Toffees on Merseyside, City boss Pep Guardiola sent a clear message to his club captain after De Bruyne received an emotional round of applause from Everton supporters when leaving the pitch as part of a second-half substitution.

“I would like him to stay on the pitch for more time; when I made the substitution, he should walk, stay there, and enjoy that moment,” Guardiola responded.

“Away (from home), the recognition for Kevin in this country has been and will be enormous. Because he gave a lot, a lot of joy, made the Premier League better and he’s behaved unbelievably as a sportsman.”

The long-standing home of Everton Football Club has also been a special place for Pep Guardiola to visit since he first became Manchester City manager in the summer of 2016, experiencing various highs and lows on Merseyside.

“It has been truly, truly an honour to come here to Goodison Park for many years,” the 54-year-old said ahead of Everton’s move to a new stadium on the Bramley-Moore Dock site from the start of next season.

“Today I was on the pitch (before the game) watching on the screen, watching all the goals (at Goodison Park over the years) and I said, ‘Wow! This is English football!'”

As well as his final few appearances in Premier League football for Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne may get as many as two further outings at the iconic Wembley Stadium with the club currently at the semi-final stage of the FA Cup.

A clash against Nottingham Forest awaits the four-in-a-row Premier League champions later this month with a place in the showpiece final an opportunity for City to put some gloss on an otherwise disappointment season across competitions.