Kevin De Bruyne has revealed “I felt like I needed to come” to Napoli, after finishing a transfer to hitch the Neapolitan aspect on a free switch from Manchester Metropolis this summer season.
The skilled Belgian midfielder’s contract with the Premier League giants expired this summer season and he joined Napoli after hypothesis linking him with a transfer to the MLS or Saudi Professional League.
Commercial
Talking in an interview with DAZN, , De Bruyne additionally revealed he “selected [his] future a few days earlier than signing for Napoli” and described his new coach Antonio Conte as “very direct and somebody who calls for rather a lot from his gamers.”
‘Napoli the most effective alternative for me’ – De Bruyne
Within the interview, De Bruyne was requested about how he determined to signal for Napoli, to which he replied: “I made a decision on my future a few days earlier than signing for Napoli. We talked rather a lot and, in the long run, I couldn’t await all of the paperwork to be finalised. Typically finding out contracts may be tough.
Kevin De Bruyne in pre-season coaching with Napoli.
Commercial
“I felt like I needed to come right here,” the midfielder continued, “After I was younger, I in all probability would by no means have anticipated to come back and play in Italy as a result of I used to be in England, I cherished it and I used to be very completely satisfied. Then I discovered myself in a state of affairs the place I had so many choices from completely different components of the world. I spoke to my spouse, my kids and my household and felt that this was your best option for me in each method. I made this choice based mostly on my intuition: it’s laborious to clarify.”
‘Conte very direct, we have to steadiness Serie A and Champions League’
De Bruyne was additionally requested about Napoli’s return to the Champions League. Conte’s aspect weren’t current in European competitors final season and the dearth of extra fixtures could have performed an element within the membership’s Scudetto victory. On the Champions League, De Bruyne mentioned “Clearly it’s formidable however all the large golf equipment purpose to advance each in Europe and within the league. I believe it is going to be completely different for the staff as a result of final yr they didn’t play in Europe, whereas this yr we do.
“We have to discover the steadiness to handle each commitments however the membership is constructing a great squad. We’ve got two gamers for every place and it will assist us preserve the depth excessive all through the season.”
NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, kisses the Serie A TIM Scudetto title trophy after his staff’s victory within the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Might 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
Commercial
, De Bruyne parted methods with legendary head coach Pep Guardiola. Nevertheless, arriving at Napoli sees the Belgian working beneath the steerage of one other iconic coach in Antonio Conte. When requested in regards to the Italian, De Bruyne described him as “very direct” and “somebody who calls for rather a lot from his gamers.” The Belgian went on to disclose that “he coaches otherwise than I’m used to, with a distinct philosophy. I believe the coach is mixing his techniques with the staff.”
The previous Wolfsburg and Chelsea participant then mentioned that “At my age, you perceive that you may take it a bit simpler and don’t essentially should be taught every part in a number of days. I believe I’m becoming in properly with my teammates and I’m very completely satisfied about that. There’s undoubtedly no rush!”