Kevin De Bruyne snubbed! Pep Guardiola makes bold call as Man City face Nottingham Forest in FA Cup semi-final

In one of the most talked-about team selections of the season, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola made the bold decision to leave Kevin De Bruyne out of the starting line-up for their FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Wembley. With Nico Gonzalez also dropped, the move raised plenty of eyebrows — especially given the significance of the occasion.

Pep Guardiola’s surprise as Kevin De Bruyne snubbed for FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest

When the Manchester City team sheet landed on Sunday afternoon, there was an immediate buzz of shock. No Kevin De Bruyne. No Nico Gonzalez either. But Jack Grealish was back, handed a chance to shine under the Wembley arch as City aimed to reach a third straight FA Cup final.

For De Bruyne, the omission felt particularly poignant. The Belgian maestro had started City’s last five matches across all competitions, playing a key role as Guardiola’s men continued their push for more silverware. Yet here he was, watching from the bench as the latest chapter of City’s domestic dominance unfolded without him.

Of course, decisions like these never come without context — and with De Bruyne’s future now almost certainly lying away from the Etihad Stadium, it’s hard not to read between the lines.

Kevin De Bruyne’s looming Manchester City exit casts a shadow over Wembley

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It’s no secret anymore: Kevin De Bruyne’s time at Manchester City is coming to an end. After a decade of brilliance, full of assists, goals, and unforgettable moments, the 33-year-old is set to leave the club when his contract expires in June.

Sources close to City suggest that De Bruyne was deeply hurt when informed by Pep Guardiola and sporting director Txiki Begiristain that the club would not be offering him a contract extension. For a player who has given so much to the cause, the news hit hard.

“I’ve had the best years of my career here,” De Bruyne admitted recently. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but I understand football moves quickly. I’ll always be grateful to City.”

There remains a lingering question about whether the club will propose a short one-month extension to allow De Bruyne to participate in the Club World Cup this summer. However, early indications suggest that the Belgian may decline such an offer, preferring instead to sort out his next destination without delay.

Pep Guardiola insists selection was tactical, not personal

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa – Emirates FA Cup Semi Final

Naturally, Guardiola was quizzed post-match about his decision to bench De Bruyne — and the City boss was quick to insist that it was purely tactical.

“We have so many games,” he said. “It’s about managing the squad. Kevin is an incredible player — one of the best I’ve ever worked with — but sometimes we have to think about the balance of the team, the physicality needed, and the opposition.”

It’s the sort of line that managers often use in these moments, but for many watching on, it still felt like the beginning of a long goodbye.

With Nico Gonzalez also missing out — another player linked with a potential move away this summer — the winds of change are clearly starting to blow through Guardiola’s all-conquering squad.

What it means for Manchester City and the FA Cup final

Sunday’s semi-final against Nottingham Forest was no mere formality. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have caused problems for plenty of teams this season, and while City were heavy favourites, Guardiola knew better than to take anything for granted.

The prize on offer was huge: a place in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, who stunned Aston Villa 3-0 in the other semi-final on Saturday.

And despite the absence of De Bruyne, City looked typically sharp, with Grealish and Phil Foden stepping up in key moments to steer them towards another Wembley showpiece.

Should City go on to lift the trophy, it would be a fitting farewell to a campaign that has seen them fight tooth and nail on multiple fronts yet again. Whether De Bruyne plays a role in that final remains to be seen — but even if he does, it’s clear that his days as an automatic starter are over.

A bittersweet farewell approaching for Kevin De Bruyne

For City fans, the sight of Kevin De Bruyne sitting on the bench at Wembley was a bittersweet reminder that even legends don’t stay forever. After all, football is about evolution. Guardiola has already started blooding the next generation, with the likes of Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Oscar Bobb all stepping into bigger roles.

Yet it’s impossible to overstate the void De Bruyne will leave behind.

Since arriving from Wolfsburg in 2015, he has been at the heart of everything good about Guardiola’s City — a player capable of moments of genius that few others could even imagine. Four Premier League titles, multiple domestic cups, and a Champions League crown bear testament to his impact.

His ability to control a game, to unlock defences with a single pass, to lead by example — these are qualities that will be sorely missed when he finally bids farewell.

What’s next for De Bruyne and Manchester City?

First and foremost, City have a treble to chase. The Premier League, the FA Cup, and potentially the Champions League still hang in the balance. De Bruyne will surely have a part to play, whether from the start or off the bench, as Guardiola manages his squad through the final critical weeks of the season.

Beyond that, speculation over De Bruyne’s next move will only intensify. A number of top European clubs are monitoring his situation, while a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer could also be on the cards.

Whatever happens, one thing is clear: Kevin De Bruyne’s legacy at Manchester City is secure. Sunday’s snub may have been a surprise, but it does nothing to diminish the impact of one of the greatest players in the club’s history.

And if he gets the chance to say goodbye with another trophy or two, it would be a farewell truly fitting of the man they call “The Maestro.”