Pep Guardiola admits Kevin De Bruyne truth ahead of UEFA Champions League opener | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted to not being surprised by Kevin De Bruyne’s incredible start to life at Napoli ahead of a return to his old club this week.

De Bruyne will line up for Napoli at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday in the Italian champions’ UEFA Champions League opener against Manchester City, who let the 34-year-old leave on a free transfer in May after ten seasons at the club.

The Belgium international was keen to extend an illustrious 10-year spell in Manchester but club bosses decided against renewing De Bruyne’s contract, much to the shock of the six-time Premier League winner, who joined Manchester City from VfL Wolfsburg in 2015.

Guardiola and newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana have conducted a major revamp of the Manchester City first-team squad this summer, with Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, James McAtee and Ederson also following De Bruyne through the exit door.

Five months on from De Bruyne’s astounding farewell at the Etihad Stadium, the Belgian will return to his former club on Thursday as Napoli eye a strong start to their UEFA Champions League group-phase campaign.

Speaking in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Guardiola was asked if he has kept an eye on De Bruyne’s early heroics in a Napoli shirt and whether the Manchester City manager has been surprised with how well the playmaker has gotten off the mark in the Serie A.

“No surprise! Players at that level adapt so quick, players at that level don’t need much time to adapt and perform well. His (De Bruyne’s) incredible talent, vision, passes, assists, goals, in the final third – he’s unique!” said Guardiola.

On whether he is looking forward to welcoming De Bruyne to the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola cheekily added: “After the game, yeah. Of course it’s nice to have him back!”

De Bruyne has score twice in his first three Serie A appearances for Napoli, quickly establishing himself as one of Conte’s best players, having penned a two-year deal with the Italian champions after leaving City in the summer.

The midfielder is widely regarded as Manchester City’s best-ever player and over the course of a nine-year spell working with Guardiola, De Bruyne has made his name as one of the best midfielders of the generation.

Guardiola and City will be vary of the threat posed by De Bruyne upon his return to the Etihad Stadium this week, with Tottenham and Brighton having already exposed frailties in the Blues’ defence early in the 2025-26 season.

De Bruyne will be given a grand ovation at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday evening and Manchester City stars will certainly greet their former teammate after the game, which can build further momentum for Guardiola and co after their weekend derby win over Manchester United – ahead of a key league meeting with Arsenal on Sunday.