Guardiola: ‘Strange to see De Bruyne at Napoli’ – Football Italia

Pep Guardiola was all smiles as he spoke ahead of Manchester City’s pre-season friendly against Palermo tonight. The head coach spoke to DAZN, via Corriere dello Sport and was full of praise for his opposition manager: Filippo Inzaghi.

The City boss, a regular visitor to Italy during his playing and coaching career, has been in a relaxed mood during the team’s preparations. However, one topic in particular caught his attention: Kevin De Bruyne’s move to Napoli.

Guardiola on De Bruyne exit: ‘Strange’

The Belgian playmaker, who established himself as a City and Premier League legend over the past decade under Guardiola, ended his time in Manchester this summer and left on a free transfer to sign for Antonio Conte’s Napoli. The transfer had been one of the biggest talking points earlier in the window and sparking debate about how he will adjust to Conte’s famously demanding training sessions.

“It feels a little strange to see him training with Napoli,” Guardiola admitted, “but I and the whole City family care deeply for Kevin and we are positive that he will do good things in his time in Italy and that he will learn new things from a top coach like Conte, one of the very best both now and all time. I hope that he, his wife and his whole family feel at home in Italy.”

‘Pippo Inzaghi was a great striker’ – Guardiola

Guardiola then turned his attention to Palermo manager Filippo Inzaghi, expressing his admiration for the former striker.

“A sly fox in the area, he could smell where the ball was going to end up,” Guardiola said with a grin. “The great strikers are the ones who sense first where the ball will go, because if you arrive a second too late, it is already gone. He had this great sense of goal and as a coach he is still young but has already done good things. I wish him all the best.”