Pep Guardiola dismisses talk of rift with Kevin De Bruyne

Pep Guardiola has played down rumors of a rift between himself and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian has had another season in which he suffered from injuries. He started just four Premier League matches in the 2024/2025 season.

But since returning from an abdominal injury that kept him out for eight weeks, De Bruyne has played just 72 minutes in total across five substitute appearances.

When he came off the bench at Anfield on Sunday, there were just 12 minutes remaining in the eventual 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

After both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville suggested there was 'something not right' between the pair in Sky Sports' coverage of the match, Guardiola defended their relationship.

Liverpool 2-0 Manchester City

That's a seismic result. Liverpool now has an eleven-point lead over City.

Today was only the second time in PL history that City have conceded more than three expected goals in a single match. pic.twitter.com/lFYAjTMchi

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 1, 2024

“People say I have a problem with Kevin,” he said. “Do you think I like not playing with Kevin? I don't want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don't want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?

“He has given me the greatest success of this club. I desperately want the best from him.”

“But he has been injured for five months and injured for two months. He is 33 years old. He needs time to be at his best.”

De Bruyne missed August to January of the 2023/24 season after a recurrence of the hamstring injury that forced him off in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan.

With his contract up for renewal at the end of the year, he has confirmed that talks over an extension have not yet begun as he focuses on getting fit.

“I would like to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27,” Guardiola said. 'He would love it too.

But he's not 26 or 27 anymore. He has had injuries in the past, significant and long-term ones, and he is a man who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy.

“It's normal, it's nature. He has played a lot of games for ten or eleven seasons.

'I know he's desperate to help us. He gives a glimpse of brilliance that only he can have.”