De Bruyne explains difference between Guardiola and Conte and aims for 25th trophy | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne says that he is aiming to earn the 25th trophy of his career during his first season with Napoli, and has explained the differences between working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and under Conte in Campania.

De Bruyne will play his first season outside of the Premier League for the first time in a decade this year following his move to Napoli on a free transfer after the expiry of his Manchester City contract earlier this summer.

De Bruyne is the highlight of what has been a busy summer of incomings for the Partenopei, which has also brought the arrivals of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Sam Beukema, Luca Marianucci, Noa Lang and Lorenzo Lucca.

Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Lucca in pre-season training with Napoli.

De Bruyne on Napoli trophy ambitions and Guardiola vs. Conte

Speaking in an in-depth interview with Corriere dello Sport, published on Wednesday morning, De Bruyne outlined the difference between two of this generation’s finest coaches in Guardiola and Conte.

“I’d say that they have two different ways of playing. Pep is probably a little more attentive to ball control and possession, while Conte is a little more structured in the game and focuses a lot on mentality. Pep works more on space,” De Bruyne told Corriere dello Sport.

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 11: Antonio Conte Napoli head coach reacts during the Serie A match between Napoli and Genoa at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“There are a couple of different things, but each coach has their own principles and characteristics.

“At the moment, we haven’t focused much on the personal aspects. We’re working for the team. He gives us collective instructions for everyone’s positions. We’ll probably talk about more specific things later.”

The Belgian star also explained which trophy he wants to win most during his time with Napoli.

“Probably the Scudetto, but I never want to choose. I’ll take whatever I can win. Having never played in Italy, though, the league championship would be a good goal, that would be very cool. But it hasn’t started yet, so we’ll see.”

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Napoli lifts the Serie A TIM Scudetto title trophy after his team’s victory in the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

And, if he had to pick one out of the Champions League, Serie A title or the Coppa Italia, De Bruyne replied: “All three, there is no decision to make.”

Does De Bruyne feel that Napoli can be competitive in all three competitions?

“Because there are so many competitions, it’s difficult to say that we’ll win everything. In fact, I can’t say it. You have to start playing, then maybe you win one game, then another and keep moving.

Kevin De Bruyne on first day of Napoli pre-season training, July 15, 2025.

“We hope to finish as high as possible on all fronts, but it depends on many situations, like opponents, injuries and other factors. You have to base the end of your season on what happened during it.”

The six-time Premier League winner was also asked which sides he thinks could challenge Napoli for the Scudetto this season, to which he replied: “Well, there’s always Inter and Milan. Juve, Atalanta are working well. Roma and Lazio also have good groups. There are lots of really strong teams.”