Manchester City fans have expressed their definitive verdict on Kevin De Bruyne’s imminent departure following their shocking 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the 2025 FA Cup final. The Belgian maestro, widely considered one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, led his side out at Wembley in what was ultimately a losing effort. Eberechi Eze’s clinical strike with Palace’s first meaningful attack of the game proved enough to secure a historic victory for the Eagles against the odds.
The defeat marks a somber end to what has been a challenging season for Pep Guardiola’s men, who have dominated English football for the better part of a decade. While City controlled possession throughout the match – registering nearly 70% of the ball and 24 shots to Palace’s 7 – they were unable to breach the Eagles’ resilient defense. Dean Henderson produced a string of remarkable saves, including a crucial penalty stop from Omar Marmoush that maintained Palace’s slender advantage midway through the second half.
“We created enough chances to win three matches,” lamented Guardiola after the game. “But sometimes football is cruel. Palace defended with incredible heart, and when Henderson made that penalty save, you could feel it wasn’t going to be our day.”
However, beyond the immediate disappointment of the cup final loss, City supporters’ attention has focused firmly on De Bruyne’s contribution to proceedings as they process the club’s decision to allow their talismanic playmaker’s contract to expire this summer.
As has been the case throughout his illustrious nine-year career at the Etihad Stadium, De Bruyne was at the heart of City’s attacking efforts at the national stadium. His performance earned him a respectable rating of 7.7 from statistical analysts Sofascore – with only teammates Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and Jeremy Doku recording higher scores for the defeated finalists.
The 33-year-old midfielder, who has established himself as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats during his time in Manchester, displayed flashes of his customary brilliance throughout the match. He crafted four key passes and created one clear-cut opportunity that his teammates ultimately failed to convert. His personal attacking contribution included four efforts on goal, with two testing Henderson in the Palace goal. Additionally, he completed 100% of his attempted dribbles and prevailed in six of his eleven duels.
However, there were also signs that perhaps time is indeed catching up with the Belgian international. In a performance that seemed to encapsulate the reasoning behind City’s difficult decision not to offer him a contract extension, De Bruyne was uncharacteristically wasteful in possession. He surrendered the ball on twenty occasions – a statistic partly explained by City’s increasingly desperate attempts to force an equalizer as time ebbed away, but still markedly below the standards of precision that have defined his career.
His passing accuracy of 85% fell short of his career average, while his usually pinpoint crossing and long-range distribution appeared particularly erratic. For a player whose extraordinary vision and execution have been his hallmarks, these moments of imprecision stood out starkly against the backdrop of an otherwise committed display.
“You could see De Bruyne trying everything to make something happen,” noted former City defender Micah Richards on BBC Sport’s coverage. “But that final ball, that moment of magic just wasn’t quite there today. Palace defended superbly, but the Kevin De Bruyne of two or three years ago probably creates three or four more clear chances in that game.”
De Bruyne’s imminent departure represents the final chapter in what has been one of the most successful eras in Manchester City’s history. Since his arrival from Wolfsburg in August 2015 for a then-club record fee of £55 million, the Belgian has been instrumental in transforming City into a dominant force in English and European football.
His trophy cabinet from his time at the Etihad is virtually unparalleled in the modern era: six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, six League Cups, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup. On an individual level, he has been named in the PFA Team of the Year six times, won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award twice, and been selected as Manchester City’s Player of the Season on four occasions.
His statistical contribution has been equally impressive. With 101 goals and a club-record 167 assists in 378 appearances across all competitions for City, De Bruyne has consistently ranked among the most productive players in world football. His record of 108 Premier League assists places him third in the competition’s all-time list, behind only Ryan Giggs (162) and Cesc Fàbregas (111).
Yet as De Bruyne approaches his 34th birthday next month, both player and club appear to have accepted that all great partnerships must eventually come to an end. The reported £400,000-per-week wages demanded for a renewal, combined with his increasing susceptibility to injury – having missed 17 games this season alone with various muscle problems – has led City’s hierarchy to the difficult decision to part ways with their creative talisman
The sentiment among Manchester City supporters in the aftermath of the cup final defeat seems to largely vindicate the club’s decision, despite the immense emotional attachment many feel toward their departing hero.
Taking to social media during and after the match, numerous fans expressed their belief that while De Bruyne remains one of City’s most influential players, his performance against Palace demonstrated why the time might be right for a changing of the guard.
“They were right to move De Bruyne on,” stated one supporter on Twitter, adding: “Him being our best player still is very bad news.” This comment reflects a growing recognition among the fanbase that City’s reliance on De Bruyne’s creativity has perhaps hindered the development of alternative playmaking options within the squad.
Another fan observed: “Today was like watching Kev’s testimonial. I never thought Guardiola would be classed as a sentimental coach. But there’s no argument after these last few weeks. Unexplainable.” This suggests a perception that Guardiola’s loyalty to De Bruyne may have come at the expense of tactical adaptability in the cup final.
Perhaps most tellingly, one supporter offered a balanced assessment that seemed to capture the prevailing mood: “KDB was arguably our best attacking threat today — but let’s be honest, he gave the ball away far too many times in the last 25 minutes. Not offering him a new deal on £400k/week is probably the only good decision the club has made this season. Time to move forward with youth, energy, and fresh ideas!”
This pragmatic view acknowledges both De Bruyne’s enduring quality and the financial and sporting logic behind allowing him to depart. With emerging talents like James McAtee and Rico Lewis pushing for more prominent roles, along with established stars such as Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva capable of assuming greater creative responsibilities, City’s decision appears increasingly justifiable despite the emotional difficulty it presents.
While City’s disappointment and De Bruyne’s farewell dominated much of the post-match discourse, Crystal Palace’s remarkable achievement deserves equal recognition. Under the astute management of Oliver Glasner, who took charge in February 2024 following Roy Hodgson’s retirement, the Eagles have evolved into one of the Premier League’s most tactically disciplined and counter-attacking forces.
Their victory at Wembley represents only the second major trophy in the club’s 120-year history, following their previous FA Cup triumph in 1990. Eze’s decisive goal – a sublime curling effort from the edge of the area after Palace had absorbed intense City pressure for the opening twenty minutes – typified their clinical approach throughout the competition.
Henderson’s heroics in goal, coupled with outstanding defensive contributions from Marc Guehi, Chris Richards, and Tyrick Mitchell, ensured that even City’s star-studded attack could not find a way through. “We knew we would suffer without the ball,” Glasner admitted afterward. “But we also knew that with Eze, Olise, and Mateta, we always had the quality to hurt them when our moments came.”
For Palace chairman Steve Parish, the victory represents the culmination of a carefully executed long-term plan: “When I joined the board in 2010, we dreamed of days like this. We’ve built sustainably, invested wisely, and today every Crystal Palace fan can be immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together.”
As attention turns to De Bruyne’s future beyond Manchester City, speculation is mounting regarding his next destination. Reports from various outlets suggest that Major League Soccer represents the most likely landing spot for the Belgian, with Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC, and New York City FC – the latter owned by City Football Group – all rumored to be preparing substantial contract offers.
A move to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League has also been mooted, with Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal reportedly willing to make De Bruyne one of the world’s highest-paid players. However, sources close to the player indicate his preference for a move to the United States, where he and his family have frequently vacationed in recent years.
When questioned about his future plans in the post-match press conference, De Bruyne remained typically measured: “Today isn’t the time to discuss where I’m going next. I’m disappointed with the result and need some time to process the end of my journey with City. When there’s news to share about my future, it will be announced at the appropriate time.”
What is certain is that De Bruyne will leave Manchester as one of the club’s greatest ever players – a status confirmed by the emotional reception he received from the City supporters at Wembley as he applauded all four corners of the stadium after the final whistle.
