Khaldoon Al Mubarak pays homage to ‘extraordinary’ Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City career | OneFootball

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has lauded Kevin De Bruyne’s incredible 10-year career at the Etihad Stadium as the Blues bid farewell to the Belgian midfielder.

De Bruyne announced in April that this will be his final season in a Manchester City jersey after club officials told him he was not part of their plans for the years to come to put an end to a long-standing silence on the playmaker’s future.

Napoli are expected to complete the signing of De Bruyne on a free transfer in the coming week after the six-time Premier League winner gave the green light to move to Italy after ruling out joining another English club when he would leave Manchester City.

City decided against renewing De Bruyne’s contract and the Belgium international has admitted in interviews since announcing he will be leaving that he feels he has taken the fall for a collective drop-off from the Manchester City squad over the course of the 2024-25 campaign.

De Bruyne bid an emotional farewell to the Manchester City fans after a 3-1 win over Bournemouth last week, with tributes pouring in him from the long list of teammates the Belgian has lined up alongside since signing from Wolfsburg for £55 million in 2015.

Manchester City fans will forever adore De Bruyne for his mastery and unparalleled contribution to the club’s success under Guardiola over the years – but particularly due to the fact that De Bruyne played through a hamstring injury to lead them to a maiden Champions League title as part of a historic treble in the 2022-23 campaign.

Speaking in his annual, end-of-season review, Manchester City chariman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has heaped praise on the legacy De Bruyne is leaving at the Etihad Stadium and the example he has set on the pitch for the club’s players in the years to come.

“Kevin (De Bruyne) has been extraordinary. My view is from the lens I see from the football I’ve lived over these years, obviously as chair, but also as a fan of Manchester City,” Al Mubarak said.

“In my view, he (De Bruyne) is the greatest to play for this club. His accomplishments speak for themselves. His accomplishments in terms of trophies, that tally, number of Premier Leagues, the Champions League, FA Cups, Community Shields, Carabao Cups.

“It’s an unbelievable tally, the highest of any player that’s ever played for this club. His 9De Bruyne’s) personal achievements, twice PFA Player of the Year. He’s been captain, a leader, team-mate, everything you’d hope from your most important player.

“His (De Bruyne’s) influence on everyone, from the academy to the communities of fans, not just of Manchester City but of football. All over the world, is unquestionable. Kevin really transcends this team and I’m so proud of what he’s accomplished.”

De Bruyne’s success at Manchester City is a sweet win for the club’s executives, who drew huge criticism from pundits over the fee spent on De Bruyne by then manager Manuel Pellegrini in the summer of 2015. “It’s one of the best decisions we ever took,” Al Mubarak added.

“The day we took the decision to invest in Kevin (De Bruyne) and bring him, some thought we overpaid. Environment is people, culture. And I think the club today, is a great culture. That’s what brings the magic and all the trophies.

“Kevin (De Bruyne) was an incredible player, but had an incredible team around him, incredible coaching staff, an incredible organisation supporting. And I have to say, the best fans in the world, an incredible fan base that’s been amazing. All that together is what makes this club so special.”