The Belgian playmaker is one of, if not the, best players in the Premier League, and he credits his manager for his overall development.
Kevin De Bruyne has emphasized Pep Guardiola’s role in helping him “progress as a player,” saying it was the manager’s sheer trust in him that prompted him to become the player he is today.
While De Bruyne was still a quality player during his stint in Bundesliga, it was after joining Manchester City – and especially under the guidance of Pep Guardiola – that he truly developed into a world-beater.
The midfielder has featured four times in UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, twice in UEFA Team of the Year, once in FIFA World Cup Dream Team, has been named the UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season, and declared the World’s Best Playmaker by IFFHS ever since moving to the Etihad.
Additionally, he has thrice won the Manchester City Player of the Season award, has twice featured in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, and has as many times been named the Premier League Playmaker of the Season, among receiving multiple other honors.
“When Pep came in, he gave me the confidence to say ‘you can be one of the best in the world’,” said De Bruyne speaking in a new UEFA documentary, via the official Man City website.
“He gave me the confidence so in my mind it was something I had to show that trust in me, show the team.
“From then, I feel like I progressed as a player, as a person as a leader for this club. And I think now I try to be as complete as I can on and off the pitch.”
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