Kevin De Bruyne makes admission on Pep Guardiola’s Man City future & contract talks

Kevin De Bruyne has admitted there is ‘less of an edge’ to Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City, with the manager yet to agree a new contract with the club.

The Catalan’s current deal expires in the summer and Guardiola often deflects questions about his future when asked in press conferences. Indeed, it’s almost become an ongoing joke, with the 51-year-old batting away questions with a grin.

But the lack of certainty surrounding Guardiola’s plans doesn’t appear to be impacting his squad, with City earning a 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday thanks to Erling Haaland’s injury-time penalty.

De Bruyne was exceptional during the match, with Guardiola praising his contribution after the game. “After seven seasons he plays like he played today. Today he won the penalty, his influence in the team, when Kevin is involved we are a better team,” said Guardiola.

Meanwhile, De Bruyne was asked about his manager’s future and he insisted that after such a long time with the current group at the Etihad, Guardiola is calm about the situation. “I think he is more and more relaxed as he’s been so long with us,” said the midfielder.

“I think for him it is also easier because if you go to a new team you have to teach again. From the beginning, what he did with us….now after seven years it is repeating itself so I feel there is less of an edge sometimes and maybe it is more calm for him. To be honest, I don’t know. I don’t think you’ll get too much out of him, and that is fine.

Asked if he would ever enquire about Guardiola’s future, De Bruyne responded: “I don’t have to. Everything is fine. He’s got his contract until the end of the year and after that we’ll see.

“I don’t think anybody put pressure [on him]. I don’t think you can put pressure on him, he will decide whatever he wants whenever he wants. We’ll deal with it”