Pep Guardiola and 381-appearance star offered shock switch to MLS club – ‘growing confidence’ surrounding deal | OneFootball

Manchester City pair Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne could make a sensational switch to New York City FC in the MLS.

Both manager Pep Guardiola and senior midfielder Kevin De Bruyne are out of contract at the Etihad Stadium next summer, with the growing potential for the pair to leave the club at the end of their current deals in 2025.

Guardiola has been at Manchester City since 2016 and the 2024/25 campaign is set to mark his ninth season in charge in east Manchester, meanwhile Belgian midfielder De Bruyne has been with the club since August 2015.

De Bruyne has made 340 appearances under the management of Guardiola, with the 32-year-old having become a six-time Premier League winner last weekend, and also surpassed the 100-goal mark for the Sky Blues this season.

The midfield star has 180 direct goal involvements in 260 Premier League appearances, and despite plans for Saudi Pro League to make major offers to the player, the Belgian international is set to remain at Manchester City this summer.

Manager Guardiola has taken charge of 471 matches and lifted 17 major trophies to date, becoming the first manager to win four consecutive Premier League titles as a result of Sunday’s historic win over West Ham.

The 53-year-old has won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Emirates FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FA Community Shield during his glittering spell at Manchester City.

Guardiola and De Bruyne could both be set to conclude their penultimate campaign at the club this weekend at Wembley Stadium, however the pair could reportedly remain within the City Football Group network after departing Manchester City next year.

According to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, club executives want Guardiola and De Bruyne to move to MLS sister-club New York City in the summer of 2025, with ‘growing confidence’ surrounding an agreement.

New York City officials want the pair to ‘herald a new era and stadium’ at the American club, with NYCFC set to open a new $780 million ground next to the iconic Citi field in 2027.

Guardiola has previously lived in New York, and both the Catalan and De Bruyne are set to be part of the Manchester City squad that will travel stateside next summer for the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup.

New York City FC have competed in the MLS since 2015 and won the MLS Cup in 2021.