De Bruyne compares Guardiola, Conte at Napoli

Kevin De Bruyne has shared insight into how Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte differ as managers, as he eyes the 25th trophy of his career in his debut season at Napoli.

The Belgian midfielder joined Napoli on a free transfer after his Manchester City contract expired earlier this summer.

He headlines a busy transfer window for the Serie A club, which has also brought in Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Sam Beukema, Noa Lang, Lorenzo Lucca, and Luca Marianucci.

In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, De Bruyne said Guardiola is “more attentive to ball control and possession,” while Conte “focuses a lot on mentality” and has a more structured tactical approach. “Pep works more on space,” he noted.

While De Bruyne declined to single out one competition, he admitted that winning the Scudetto would be “a good goal,” adding: “Having never played in Italy, that would be very cool.”

Asked if Napoli can contend for the league, Champions League, and Coppa Italia, De Bruyne was pragmatic. “There are many competitions. It’s difficult to say we’ll win everything… you have to start playing, then maybe you win one game, then another and keep moving.”

He named Inter, Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, Roma, and Lazio as Napoli’s likely challengers for the Serie A title.