Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was overcome with emotion, breaking down in tears as Kevin De Bruyne made his final appearance at the Etihad Stadium following the club's decision not to renew his contract.

The 33-year-old Belgian midfielder, who has been a cornerstone of City's success for a decade, will leave as a free agent when his contract expires this summer. His departure marks the end of an illustrious era during which he helped the club secure six Premier League titles and a coveted Champions League trophy.

In his final home game, De Bruyne featured in City's 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday night, a win that propelled the former champions to third place in the Premier League table. Though he missed an opportunity to score in his farewell match, the focus remained on his emotional goodbye.

After the match, as the stadium lights dimmed, De Bruyne took to the pitch one last time accompanied by his wife Michele Lacroix and their three children – Mason, Rome, and Suri. The emotional scene was heightened as City players and officials formed a guard of honour for the midfielder, who made his way to the centre circle surrounded by fireworks and lights while fans chanted his name in appreciation.

When asked about his feelings during the ceremony, De Bruyne simply responded: "Very emotional." The sentiment was clearly shared by his manager, as cameras caught Guardiola visibly in tears while the Belgian midfielder collected his thoughts during the farewell ceremony.

De Bruyne's departure signals the end of an era for Manchester City, with the playmaker having been instrumental in the club's dominance of English football over the past decade. His creative vision, passing range, and leadership on the pitch have made him one of the Premier League's most influential players during his time in Manchester.

The midfielder's next destination remains unannounced, but at 33, he is expected to attract significant interest from clubs around the world despite leaving City as a free agent.