In a bittersweet celebration marking the end of an era, Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City’s midfield maestro, hosted a lavish farewell party in Manchester on Wednesday night, bidding adieu to his teammates and the city he’s called home for a decade. The Belgian star, whose departure from the club was confirmed after a trophy-laden 10-year spell, turned the evening into a memorable send-off, with manager Pep Guardiola arriving in signature style on a bicycle and Jack Grealish stealing the spotlight as the last to leave at 1:35 a.m. The event, filled with camaraderie, laughter, and a touch of nostalgia, underscored De Bruyne’s profound impact on the club and the deep bonds forged during his time at the Etihad.
The party, held at a chic Manchester restaurant, was a fitting tribute to De Bruyne’s remarkable career with City, where he won 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. The 33-year-old, joined by his wife Michele Lacroix and their three children, stayed until nearly 1:30 a.m., soaking in the moment with his teammates and their families. “Manchester is home,” De Bruyne had said during his emotional farewell speech at the Etihad Stadium the previous night, after City’s 3-1 victory over Bournemouth. “It is where these kids were born. I came here with my wife to stay for a long time. Didn’t expect to stay here for 10 years and do what we have done as a club.” His words resonated with the attendees, who celebrated not just his on-field brilliance but the personal connections he built.
Guardiola, a central figure in De Bruyne’s City journey, made a memorable entrance, arriving slightly sweaty with earbuds in, having cycled to the venue. His presence was a testament to the mutual respect between him and De Bruyne, whom he has called “one of the greatest” players in Premier League history. The manager’s emotional response was evident the previous night, as he was reduced to tears during De Bruyne’s farewell presentation at the Etihad, where former teammates like Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany appeared on screens to pay tribute. “Hi Kevin,” Aguero said in a heartfelt message. “Congratulations for your career, it was an honour to play with you, I wish you all the best my friend, of course you are a legend at Manchester City.” The outpouring of love continued at the party, with players like Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden donning De Bruyne masks in a playful nod to their departing captain.
The night was not without its colorful moments. Jack Grealish, known for his larger-than-life personality, was the last to depart at 1:35 a.m., navigating past a reportedly inebriated staff member while dressed in ripped jeans. Grealish’s late exit echoed his reputation as City’s resident party enthusiast, a role he’s embraced since his £100 million move in 2021. Phil Foden arrived with his partner Rebecca Cooke, sporting a designer jacket, while Erling Haaland and his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen left just before 1 a.m. in a taxi, their newborn in tow. The presence of players’ partners added a family-oriented warmth to the event, contrasting with the competitive edge of their day jobs, especially as rivals Manchester United suffered a 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final that same evening.
De Bruyne’s farewell comes at a poignant time for City, who are navigating a transitional phase. His contract, set to expire in June, was not renewed—a decision Guardiola described as difficult. “It was not easy for me to tell him it won’t continue,” the manager admitted, acknowledging the club’s choice to move forward. De Bruyne’s final home game against Bournemouth was bittersweet; he missed a golden opportunity to score, blazing a shot onto the crossbar, and was substituted after a teammate’s red card. Yet, his legacy—119 Premier League assists, 72 goals, and 843 chances created—remains unmatched. Speculation about his next move, possibly to the MLS’s Chicago Fire, is rife, but De Bruyne has ruled out playing in the Club World Cup to avoid injury risks before his next chapter.
The party encapsulated De Bruyne’s indelible mark on Manchester City. From his pinpoint crosses to his relentless creativity, he redefined midfield play, earning praise as the “second-best” passer Guardiola has coached, behind only Lionel Messi. As City look to players like Foden and Grealish to fill the void, the challenge is daunting. “He is irreplaceable,” former teammate Micah Richards noted, urging Foden to seize the moment. With a statue planned in his honor outside the Etihad, De Bruyne’s legacy is secure, but Wednesday’s celebration was a reminder that his impact transcends trophies—it’s about the memories, the passion, and the city he helped transform.
# Kevin De Bruyne’s Emotional Manchester City Farewell Party
## A Night to Remember
Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City’s iconic midfielder, hosted a vibrant farewell party on Wednesday night, celebrating his 10-year legacy with teammates and their families. Held at a stylish Manchester restaurant, the event saw manager Pep Guardiola arrive by bicycle and Jack Grealish linger until 1:35 a.m., marking a heartfelt goodbye to a club legend who won 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles.
## An Emotional Send-Off
The party followed De Bruyne’s poignant farewell at the Etihad Stadium after City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth. “Manchester is home,” he told fans, reflecting on his decade-long journey with his wife Michele Lacroix and their three children. “Didn’t expect to stay here for 10 years and do what we have done as a club.” Former teammates like Sergio Aguero paid tribute, with Aguero saying, “Congratulations for your career, it was an honour to play with you, I wish you all the best my friend, of course you are a legend at Manchester City.”
## Star-Studded Celebration
Guardiola, visibly moved during the Etihad ceremony, arrived at the party with earbuds, fresh from a bike ride. Players like Phil Foden, with partner Rebecca Cooke, and Erling Haaland, with girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen, joined the festivities. Grealish, the last to leave, navigated past a tipsy staff member, embodying his party-loving persona. The night’s joy contrasted with Manchester United’s Europa League final loss, adding a cheeky backdrop to City’s revelry.
## A Legacy Unmatched
De Bruyne’s departure, a club decision as his contract nears its June expiry, marks the end of an era. “It was not easy for me to tell him it won’t continue,” Guardiola admitted. Despite a missed chance in his final home game, De Bruyne’s 119 assists and 843 chances created cement his status as a Premier League great. With a statue planned and potential moves to the MLS looming, his farewell party was a testament to a legacy that will endure in Manchester.
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