Pep Guardiola admitted that it was both "a sad day and a happy day" with Kevin De Bruyne announcing his decision to leave Manchester City at the end of the season. The Belgian midfielder will depart following the expiration of his contract this summer, having penned a heartfelt statement shortly before Guardiola's press conference.

Guardiola hummed as he entered the room and took a long pause before answering the first question, what his thoughts on De Bruyne's decision are, laying bare his emotions as he made a poignant tribute to one of the Premier League's finest players.

"A sad day," Guardiola shared. "And a happy day for the fact the pleasure personally we lived this time with him, what he gave to all of us, his humanity.

"It's not necessary to tell his success with us in the last decade - impossible to imagine without him. A sad day because a part of us is leaving. When Vincent [Kompany] left or Sergio [Aguero] left or David Silva left, their contribution... I can say more names, these three are examples.

"It's a sad day. But still we have 10 games, and hopefully 11, six games at home that still we can enjoy with our fans and he will get - I'm pretty sure - the love and recognition that all of us, fans of course, that he deserves."

Every single question in the non-embargoed portion of the press conference was about De Bruyne and his influence on the club, as Guardiola felt that the 33-year-old would one day have his own statue outside of the Etihad Stadium.

"One of the greatest midfielders ever to have played in this country," Guardiola said when asked about where De Bruyne ranks in the greatest players in the club's history. "And I think with City there's no doubt. Greatest or not the greatest, always you have to be careful with players that played at Maine Road, incredible players in the last 20/30 years in this club.

"But come on, there's no doubt he's one of the greatest for sure because of his consistency in important games, not important games, being there every three days all the time. That is no doubt.

"What is important is that he feels good right now. We spoke recently, lately, that he had problems but now he feels, finally, because after surgery in hamstring he had problems in other parts of the body, but now he feels ready. The decision is made, and of course all of us wish him, [his wife] Michelle, the kids, mum and dad, absolutely the best.

"His assists, goals, vision in the final third is so difficult to replace. Everyone can make an action, two actions, or an assist, but during how many years and games, that makes him unique.

"At the end, this is a business and players have to perform well, the manager has to perform well, and not any person can discuss that his performances over the last decade have not been outstanding! We won a lot, a lot of trophies, and he has been involved in every single one, so that's why always.

"I think we'll remember him as part of this club, his statement, the club has said to him that the doors are open for the rest of his life. Whatever he wants to do here in another part, he's part of the family of this club. The impact of some players transcend beyond what he has done on the pitch and Kevin is one of them."