The 2024–25 season wraps with two giants making reality moves. De Bruyne calls time on his City era, and Ten Hag grabs the reins at Leverkusen.
De Bruyne joined City in 2015 from Wolfsburg for £55 million. He wasted no time pulling the strings in Guardiola’s midfield.
Across ten seasons, he racked up 421 games, 108 goals, and 177 assists. He leads City’s all-time assist chart and sits second behind Giggs in Premier League history with 118 assists.
The Belgian magician turned midfield play into an art form. He bagged six league titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups, a Champions League, a Super Cup, and a Club World Cup.
Individually, he scooped two Premier League Player of the Season and two PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards.
His influence ran deeper than stats. He powered City’s 100-point league triumph in 2017–18 and helped seal their famous treble in 2022–23.
ALSO READ:
- Kevin De Bruyne confirms Manchester City exit after a decade of glory
- Manchester United sack Dutch manager Erik Ten Hag following West Ham loss
- Manchester United deny rumours of replacing Erik Ten Hag
- Manchester United: Erik ten Hag on a failed mission at Old Trafford
The Etihad stood still as he said goodbye, with fans, players, and Guardiola all paying tribute. He now gears up for a new challenge with Serie A champs Napoli.
Meanwhile, in Germany, Ten Hag takes over from Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen. The Dutch coach, 55, signs on till 2027, ready to keep the fire burning after Alonso’s unbeaten double last season.
Ten Hag arrives with solid pedigree. At Ajax, he won league titles and reached a Champions League semi-final in 2019. At Manchester United, he lifted both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup before leaving in October 2024.
Leverkusen see in him the right man to keep their tempo up. His knack for growing young stars and setting up attacking football suits their style. He also knows the German game, having coached Bayern’s reserve side.
Still, the job’s no walk in the park. Ten Hag must hold the squad together with stars like Wirtz and Frimpong attracting transfer buzz. He’ll need to strike the right balance, keep the rhythm, and push for more silverware.
These moves mark a major shake-up in the European football scene. De Bruyne exits City as a club legend, and Ten Hag enters Leverkusen with higher hopes. One bows out in England, another steps in to shape German football.
Their stories, set on new paths, promise in the seasons ahead. Both are proven game-changers. Now, fans watch closely to see how these two write the next chapters of their football journeys.
