Kevin De Bruyne rejects opportunity of becoming new Manchester City captain

Manchester City privately saw Kevin De Bruyne reject the opportunity to become the club’s new captain, a report has revealed.

The Belgium international was appointed as the Premier League champions’ new vice-captain ahead of the 2023/24 season, working closely with the player-voted club captain Kyle Walker throughout another successful season.

Walker took on the responsibilities of club captain at Manchester City in light of Ilkay Gundogan’s exit to FC Barcelona upon the expiry of his Etihad Stadium contract, only for the German to return on a free transfer one year later.

But a new report has detailed how De Bruyne had already turned down the opportunity of taking on the captain’s armband at the Etihad Stadium prior to the player vote to decide who would lead the club for the foreseeable future.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Lee, Kevin De Bruyne had ‘privately expressed’ that he did not want the Manchester City captain’s armband as he would ‘rather focus on playing’ than the extra responsibilities.

De Bruyne remains as the captain of the Belgium national team, but is yet to reap the rewards on a silverware front with his home nation, most recently expressing his frustration at the level of performance being showcased by his teammates.

Speaking to Belgium broadcaster VTM after a 2-0 defeat to France in UEFA Nations League action, De Bruyne said, “I cannot repeat that (what he said during the half-time break) in the media but it has to be better in every way.”

An angered De Bruyne continued, “If the standard we want to reach is the best, but we’re no longer good enough to get to that level, then you have to give everything. If you don’t even do that, it’s over.

“If you stay with six at the back, there is no connection. It is not about transition, but about people who do not perform their tasks.”

Manchester City and Kevin De Bruyne return to action in the Premier League this weekend, as they welcome Brentford to the Etihad Stadium for their fourth contest of the new campaign, hoping to maintain their 100 per cent winning record into a new month.