In the heart of Manchester, a bittersweet celebration unfolded as Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City’s midfield maestro, hosted a stylish farewell party to mark his departure from the club after a decade of dazzling performances. The event, held at a chic restaurant in the city center, brought together teammates, their partners, and manager Pep Guardiola to honor the Belgian legend’s extraordinary legacy. Among the star-studded attendees, Jack Grealish stood out, earning the title of the last to leave the festivities at 1:35 a.m., exiting alone in his signature ripped jeans after a night of heartfelt tributes and lively revelry.
The evening followed an emotional farewell presentation at the Etihad Stadium, where De Bruyne, who played 421 matches and won 19 trophies, including the Champions League and six Premier League titles, bid adieu to the fans. His final home game, a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, was marred by a missed open goal and an early substitution due to a teammate’s red card, but the outpouring of love from the crowd underscored his status as a club icon. “Manchester is home,” De Bruyne declared, reflecting on his ten years in the city where his children 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. We have won everything, made the city and the club bigger.” His words resonated deeply, capturing the profound connection he forged with Manchester City.
The restaurant bash was a lighter affair, a chance for the squad to celebrate De Bruyne’s contributions in a more intimate setting. Pep Guardiola, ever the unconventional figure, arrived on a bicycle, his casual entrance adding a touch of whimsy to the night. The atmosphere was electric, with players and their partners mingling in high spirits. Phil Foden, the young star who has been urged to fill De Bruyne’s creative void, attended with his long-term partner, Rebecca Cooke, with whom he shares three children. The couple, who met as teenagers in Stockport, added a touch of warmth to the event, their presence a reminder of the personal bonds formed within the team. Erling Haaland, the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner, left just before 1 a.m. with his girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, who was spotted wearing his winner’s medal from a previous celebration. The couple, parents to a child born in December, departed in a taxi, their early exit contrasting with Grealish’s late-night stamina.
Bernardo Silva and his wife, Ines Tomaz, brought a playful energy, donning Kevin De Bruyne masks as they left the venue, a nod to the Belgian’s larger-than-life presence. De Bruyne himself, accompanied by his wife, Michele Lacroix, stayed until around 1:30 a.m., soaking in the camaraderie. Michele’s stunning appearance drew admiration, with comments from teammates’ partners like Isabel Haugseng Johansen, who called her “gorgeous,” and John Stones’ partner, Olivia Naylor, who added, “My gorgeous girl.” The night was filled with such moments of affection, reflecting the tight-knit nature of the Manchester City family.
Grealish, known for his party-loving persona, was in his element, having previously led celebrations after City’s historic fourth consecutive Premier League title in 2024, where he danced until 5 a.m. at a Greek restaurant. This time, he was the last to depart, navigating past a reportedly inebriated staff member as he exited. His decision to stay until the early hours, alone, spoke to his deep connection with De Bruyne, whom he once cited as a key reason for joining City. “One of the reasons I joined Man City was to play alongside you brother! The BEST I’ve ever had the pleasure to play with, for sure. Legend!” Grealish wrote in a tribute, echoing sentiments shared by teammates like Haaland, who dubbed De Bruyne “King Kev,” and Manuel Akanji, who called him the “best CAM ever.”
The farewell party came at a poignant moment for Manchester City, who are grappling with a transitional phase. De Bruyne’s departure, prompted by the club’s decision not to renew his contract, leaves a void in creativity and leadership. Micah Richards, a former City player, emphasized the challenge ahead, stating, “He is irreplaceable,” while urging Foden to step up. De Bruyne’s final game for City is set against Fulham, with a statue in his honor planned outside the Etihad, cementing his legacy. “I wanted to play with creativity, I wanted to play with passion,” De Bruyne said, reflecting on his ethos. The fans’ chants of “we want you to stay” lingered in the air, a testament to his impact.
For Grealish, the night was a chance to celebrate a teammate who inspired him, even as his own role at City remains under scrutiny, with only six starts in 25 games this season. The camaraderie displayed at the party, from Silva’s playful masks to Haaland’s quiet exit with his partner, highlighted the team’s unity in the face of change. As De Bruyne prepares to leave, potentially for Chicago Fire, the Manchester City squad and their loved ones sent him off with a night to remember, with Grealish’s late exit encapsulating the reluctance to let go of a true legend.
# Jack Grealish at Kevin De Bruyne’s Farewell Party
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne hosted a memorable farewell party in Manchester, marking his departure after a decade of brilliance. Jack Grealish, the last to leave at 1:35 a.m., embodied the emotional weight of the occasion, which followed an emotional Etihad farewell where De Bruyne addressed fans after a 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
The restaurant celebration saw Pep Guardiola arrive by bicycle, setting a lighthearted tone. Phil Foden attended with partner Rebecca Cooke, while Erling Haaland and girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen left before 1 a.m. Bernardo Silva and wife Ines Tomaz wore De Bruyne masks, adding playfulness. De Bruyne and wife Michele Lacroix, praised as “gorgeous” by peers, stayed until 1:30 a.m. Grealish, exiting alone, reflected his bond with De Bruyne, whom he called “the BEST I’ve ever had the pleasure to play with.”
De Bruyne’s 421 appearances, 108 goals, and 19 trophies, including the Champions League, cemented his legacy. “Manchester is home,” he said, noting his family’s roots in the city. Despite a missed open goal in his final home game, fans chanted his name, and a statue is planned in his honor. Teammates like Haaland (“King Kev”) and Manuel Akanji (“best CAM ever”) paid tribute, while Micah Richards called him “irreplaceable,” urging Foden to step up.
Grealish’s late exit, after navigating a staff member, echoed his role in past celebrations, like City’s 2024 title party. With De Bruyne’s exit looming, potentially to Chicago Fire, the night underscored the team’s unity and the challenge of replacing a legend.
Leave a Reply