Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City Departure: A Legend’s New Chapter
Why Did De Bruyne Leave City?
In June 2025, Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City departure stunned football fans. After a decade, 16 trophies, and over 400 appearances, the club opted not to renew his contract. City’s strategy focused on refreshing an aging squad, with veterans like Ederson, Jack Grealish, and Kyle Walker also exiting. De Bruyne, then 34, admitted surprise in April 2025: “I still think I can perform at this level, but I understand clubs make decisions.” Injuries limited him to 34 Premier League starts in his final two seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25), prompting City to prioritize youth. However, his subsequent performances suggest Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City departure might have been premature.
A Stellar Start at Napoli
Since joining Napoli on a free transfer, De Bruyne has reignited his career. In the 2025-26 season, he has notched three goals and two assists in six Serie A matches, starting five. His creativity shines: he ranks joint-second among midfielders for chances created and leads in shots on target. Across all competitions, including Champions League, he boasts 11 goal involvements (eight goals, three assists) in 12 games—his best seasonal start ever. Compared to his peak 2019-20 (13 goals, 20 assists) and 2023-24 (four goals, 10 assists) campaigns, this resurgence defies age-related decline. “I feel good,” De Bruyne said recently. “I’m playing a lot and in good shape.” His fitness, a stark contrast to City’s injury concerns, underscores the impact of Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City departure.
Belgium’s Driving Force
De Bruyne’s brilliance extends to international duty. Stripped of Belgium’s captaincy in September 2025 by new coach Rudi Garcia, who chose Youri Tielemans to bridge generational gaps, De Bruyne responded emphatically. He scored five goals in four matches, including a penalty brace in a 4-2 win over Wales on October 13, 2025. This propelled Belgium to the top of their World Cup qualifying group, nearing a fourth straight tournament appearance in 2026. At 35 by the World Cup, De Bruyne remains a linchpin of Belgium’s “golden generation,” once praised by ex-coach Roberto Martinez as “the most incredible playmaker in world football.” His form amplifies questions about Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City departure.
Manchester City’s Transition Struggles
Without De Bruyne, Manchester City have managed six wins, two draws, and two losses in their first 10 matches of 2025-26. While solid, this lacks the dominance of past seasons. Only Jeremy Doku rivals De Bruyne’s goal-and-assist output among City’s current midfielders and wingers. The departure of key veterans has left gaps in leadership and creativity, areas where De Bruyne excelled. A Champions League clash against Napoli saw De Bruyne exit early due to a teammate’s red card, but his overall impact suggests City may regret Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City departure.
Was It a Mistake?
City’s decision to let De Bruyne go aimed to manage wages and usher in youth. Yet, his Napoli form—three goals, high chance creation—and renewed fitness challenge that logic. His final City seasons were marred by injuries, but 2024-25 still yielded four goals and seven assists in 28 games. Now, De Bruyne’s output outpaces most City attackers, suggesting he could have remained a linchpin. Fans debate: was Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City departure a calculated risk or a rare Guardiola error? His performances fuel this narrative, especially as City chase trophies without his vision.
Fan and Pundit Buzz
Social media buzzes with praise for De Bruyne’s Napoli form. “He’s proving City wrong every game,” one fan tweeted. Pundits agree: “De Bruyne’s still world-class—City might rue this,” said a Sky Sports analyst. His Wales performance drew “pure class” accolades, keeping Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City departure in headlines.
Key Data: De Bruyne’s 2025-26 Season (as of October 13, 2025)
| Category | Stats | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Serie A Matches | 6 (5 starts, 1 sub) | 3 goals, 0 assists |
| Total Club | 7 matches | 3 goals, 2 assists |
| Belgium | 5 matches | 5 goals, 1 assist |
| Total Involvements | 12 matches | 8 goals, 3 assists |
| Serie A Ranking | Joint-2nd (chances created) | Leads midfielders in shots on target |
Looking Ahead
As De Bruyne drives Napoli’s Serie A campaign and Belgium’s World Cup hopes, his form casts a shadow over Manchester City’s decision. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, his performances could cement his legacy as a global icon. For City, replacing his creativity tests their squad depth. Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City departure remains a hot topic, with every goal and assist fueling debate over whether a legend was let go too soon.
