Fernandinho Discloses How Guardiola Blocked Bayern From Signing De Bruyne Before Man City Move

• Kevin De Bruyne is the last active member of Pep Guardiola's inherited team
• The Belgian joined Manchester City a year before the Spanish manager arrived
• A former City star has disclosed that the union of the two could have come earlier

Pep Guardiola was ahead of the curve about his move to Manchester City and blocked one of his choice players from moving to another club, as disclosed by his former player.

The Spaniard took a one-year sabbatical after leaving Barcelona after four successful years before he took over the reins at Bayern Munich, where he spent three seasons.

England was his next destination after leaving the Bavarian giants after setting them on course for years of domination, which is about to end this season unless a miracle happens.

How Guardiola blocked KDB to Bayern

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Guardiola began planning for his time in English football a year before he eventually arrived, as he was already looking at players he would love to have turned out for him.

Former City captain Fernandinho, speaking on the Denison Show Podcast, claimed the former Barcelona midfielder convinced the German club against signing the Belgian.

"He [Pep Guardiola] was at Bayern and [Kevin] De Bruyne was at Wolfsburg. Bayern's scouting department says, 'We're looking at this boy, what do you think about bringing him here?' And Pep says: 'No, no, no, I don't want him, I don't think he'll fit into our team," the Brazilian midfielder said.

He added: "The year passes, De Bruyne goes to Man City. Another year passes, and he arrives at City. Did you understand? The guy knew he was going to City and sent De Bruyne there."

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Per BBC Sports, in the same summer, Pep ruled against him. City paid a club record £55 million to sign him, and he has been the club's most influential player since then.

Per a post by Bayern & Germany on X, the German club also dropped transfer interests in Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan; the latter was Pep's first signing in England.

KDB exonerates Mourinho over Chelsea exit

Sports Brief also reported on De Bruyne exonerating Jose Mourinho over his Chelsea exit after years of the media suggesting the Portuguese manager pushed him out.

The Belgian midfielder claimed the manager wanted him to stay, but he pushed for a move out of impatience and wanting to play football as many other youngsters had.