Pep Guardiola’s decision to extend his stay at Manchester City means that the team now has some much-needed clarity about the future direction of the club.
Although the club are yet to confirm the new deal, Guardiola has reportedly agreed a new one-year deal with City that would see him chalk up a decade in charge at the Etihad and the chance to add yet more Premier League winners’ medals to the six he has won so far.
The extension – which does not reportedly contain a relegation break clause – is also likely to be a key factor in determining the future of a number of the squad’s more senior players and whether or not Guardiola will be plotting a significant rebuild next summer.
Once Guardiola’s new deal is confirmed, Kevin De Bruyne will be the most high-profile individual at the club who’s deal is up at the end of the current season, and there has been plenty of speculation regarding the future of the 33-year-old.
De Bruyne to San Diego FC links are rumbling on
The 33-year-old has been the subject of links to new MLS franchise San Diego FC ahead of their inaugural season in the league, with the American side said to be willing to offer De Bruyne a huge contract.
Reports in the summer suggested that the Californian side were keen to make the Belgian their first big marquee signing, while further dispatches claimed that Saudi Pro League sides were also looking to sign the former Chelsea man.
As recently as last month, San Diego FC are said to be ‘optimistic’ about the prospects of signing De Bruyne, who has struggled for fitness this season, but has now returned to training and will look to finally get some momentum going this season following this latest international break.
Former De Bruyne teammate signs up at San Diego FC
If De Bruyne is continuing to mull over his future in the wake of Guardiola’s new deal, he will no doubt be well aware that a familiar face has just joined up with the MLS new boys.
That’s because De Bruyne’s former Chelsea teammate Juan Mata has announced that he has joined the investment group of San Diego FC as a minority shareholder in the team.
Mata and De Bruyne spent time together at Chelsea between 2012 and 2014 and the Spaniard, who signed for Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers in September after a stint with Vissel Kobe last year, will become the first active player to take on a MLS ownership stake.
“Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something truly special in a city and league that are experiencing incredible growth,” he said. “I look forward to contributing my experience and passion for the game and working alongside everyone here to build a Club that inspires both on and off the pitch.”
What impact will Guardiola’s new deal have on De Bruyne’s future?
Every City fan knows just how integral De Bruyne has been what has been the most successful period in the club’s history, with the Belgian set to go down as one of the greatest Premier League players of all time when all is said and done.
He is now approaching the final six months of his current contract though and after a season which saw him restricted to just 18 Premier League appearances last term, he again finds himself working his way back to full fitness this year, having missed five Premier League games with a hamstring issue before making a late cameo off the bench against Brighton last time out.
| Season | Games missed through injury |
| 2024/25 (as of 21/11/24) | 5 |
| 2023/24 | 17 |
| 2022/23 | 2 |
| 2021/22 | 5 |
With Guardiola now signing until at least 2026, it opens the door for the manager to oversee a rebuild, which would logically start with finding De Bruyne’s successor, amid links to the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Eberechi Eze all linked in recent months.
While the possibility of an extension for De Bruyne cannot be ruled out at this stage, it is clear that he will not be lacking suitors should he look for one last challenge in his decorated career.
