Guardiola: ‘De Bruyne at special Napoli with one of the best coaches’

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, acknowledges the fans after the team’s victory during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on April 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Pep Guardiola assures Manchester City ‘hadn’t played like this in a long time’ after beating Juventus 5-2, while he wishes Kevin De Bruyne well at Antonio Conte’s Napoli. ‘It’s a special club with one of the best coaches of all time.’

The Citizens needed a victory to top the group in the FIFA Club World Cup, having already qualified for the Round of 16 along with the Bianconeri, both beating Wydad and Al-Ain.

It was one-way traffic in Orlando, as Manchester City emerged 5-2 winners and could’ve had more if not for the saves of Michele Di Gregorio.

Guardiola sees his Manchester City again

“Of course I am satisfied, we beat a team that played two extraordinary matches before this,” Guardiola told Italian channel Mediaset.

“Juventus are always Juventus, but we hadn’t played like this in a long time. We continue to believe that we had a good team last season, but we suffered what felt like 200,000 injuries. However, now we have found ourselves again. There is a journey to go through, we must not talk, but work hard.

“We had won the two previous games in the group, but I didn’t have the same sensations. We must rediscover our identity, who cares if we win or not? The important thing is to find ourselves again.”

Erling Haaland was initially rested on the bench and scored the moment he came on for the second half, albeit almost by accident bundling it over the line.

“This kid scores goals, but he must know that there is competition for places too,” warned Guardiola.

“Omar Marmoush played well, everyone must give their best, otherwise it will be difficult for everybody.”

Guardiola wishes De Bruyne well

Finally, Manchester City parted company with De Bruyne this summer by not offering him a new contract, so he is starting a new experience as a free agent with Conte’s Napoli.

“I love him so much. These years we had would not have been possible without his contribution,” noted Guardiola.

“It was a very difficult decision, I wish him all the best, he is going to a special club with one of the best coaches of all time. Antonio always manages to get what he needs. I wish Kevin all the best, and so much happiness.”