KEVIN DE BRUYNE has revealed that he was "shocked" to find out that Manchester City decided against offering him a new deal.
At the start of the month, the Belgium international announced on Instagram that he was leaving the Etihad at the end of the season.
De Bruyne's £375,000-a-week contract with the Premier League champions expires in the summer.
And after a disappointing season at City, his future was the subject of intense speculation for several months before he announced his exit.
But De Bruyne - widely considered as one of the best midfielders in Prem history - has since revealed details behind his pending departure.
It turns out that the decision was made by the club rather than De Bruyne himself.
The 33-year-old told written media after City's 2-0 win at Everton that City's Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain and CEO, Ferran Soriano, held a brief meeting to tell him his contract would not be renewed.
He said: "There was a little bit of shock. I didn't have any offer from them through the whole year and the club made a decision.
"Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I have to accept it.
"Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I'm showing but I understand that clubs have to make decisions."
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It is understood that manager Pep Guardiola was involved in the decision but not a part of the meeting where De Bruyne was informed.
De Bruyne said he struggled a lot in the days between finding out and going public with his social media post.
He added: "It was half a week till I reported it out and it wasn't nice. My family weren't home.
"They were on holiday so it was a bit weird but it is what it is.
"After the decision was made and when I came out, it was more of a relief when I reported it to the outside world compared to when I knew and nobody else knew.
"You don't know what to do with the emotion with everybody and how to handle it at the club.
"Now it's out, it's fine and people see the way I am. I try to do my best and win games for the team. I love playing football so that's it."
It wasn't nice. My family weren't home.
De Bruyne
De Bruyne has refused to rule out a move to another Premier League club when he does become a free agent in June.
But has been more closely linked with a move to the MLS or the Saudi Pro League.
The Prem legend said: "I don't feel awkward. I told them (City's chief's) that I feel like I still have a lot to give.
"I know I'm not 25 anymore, but I still feel like I can do my job.
"I'm open for anything because I have to look at the whole picture.
"I'm looking at sporting reasons, family and everything together and what makes the most sense for me and my family.
"I still feel like I can play at a good level, but after I'll have to make a decision once I really know a little bit more."
De Bruyne refused to delve specifically into the reasons given to him by City for refusing to offer him a contract extension.
But he believes that City's struggles this season have played a part, even though he believes this dip is only temporary.
He said: "It's basically why they've made the decision because the whole team has struggled.
I can't really say what they think on the inside.
De Bruyne
"Maybe if the team didn't struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal then maybe they would take another decision.
"I don't know - they told me what the decision was and I can't really say what they think on the inside.
"I still think that I'm in good shape, I've played way more than I did last year except the hernia. I feel good and the rhythm is coming.
"I don't feel like I want to share (the exact reasons) because it's basically more business-wise for them and they made a decision based on that.
"It was not really a long conversation. It was just what they told me and then there's nothing."
Only Ryan Giggs (162) has more Premier League assists than De Bruyne (119), who has won 16 trophies at City.
His contract will officially expire during the Club World Cup, which will be held from June to July.
But he is still in the dark over whether he'll feature for City in the USA.
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