Kevin De Bruyne says he wants to QUIT Belgium’s national team in new squad civil war as he accuses team-mates of ‘not doing their jobs’ – but manager tells Man City star, 33, to ‘calm down’
Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium career is on the rocks after the Manchester City star appeared to tell technical director Frank Vercauteren, ‘I quit’, before embarking on an extraordinary post-match outburst.
The blowup took place in the aftermath of a lacklustre 2-0 defeat by France, with goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele providing the difference in Lyon.
The midfielder has been one of Belgium’s leading lights during a so-called Golden Generation which has slowly lost its lustre, with the nation failing to make a single major final in that time.
Boasting 107 caps over a 14-year spell representing his country, De Bruyne’s loyalty has thus far been unwavering. Indeed, he was the only member of that group of players, who once promised so much, playing in France on Monday.
But last night’s tantrum has thrown his future in Domenico Tedesco’s team up in the air after he slammed his team-mates and the side’s tactics in an interview after the loss, HLN reports.
Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium career is on the rocks after an extraordinary post-match outburst
De Bruyne went up to technical director Frank Vercauteren (right) and seemed to make clear his desire to ‘quit’, before heading over to France and Real Madrid man Kylian Mbappe (centre)
An exasperated Belgium captain then faced the media and did not hold back
Shortly after the final whistle, De Bruyne went up to Vercauteren and seemed to make clear his desire to ‘quit’, before heading over to chat with France and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe.
An exasperated Belgium captain then faced the media where he was asked whether the opposition had been the better side.
He replied: ‘Yes, that’s right. There’s not much to say about it.’
De Bruyne then slammed Belgium’s negative setup throughout the match, which saw the Red Devils have plenty of the ball but create little of substance.
But he declined to blame it on the pre-match tactics, instead opting to direct his ire towards individuals.
‘We were six at the back,’ he said. There was no connection. Not even in the second half. You’re behind, right?
‘I wonder what you see in the match. It is not about transitions. It is about the way of playing and people who do not do their job.’
Asked what might need to be improved, De Bruyne gave a brutal response which branded certain aspects of the performance ‘unacceptable’.
The blowup took place in the aftermath of Belgium’s lacklustre 2-0 loss to France on Monday
Goals from Randal Kolo Muani (pictured) and Ousmane Dembele provided the difference
The midfielder has been one of Belgium’s leading lights during a so-called Golden Generation which has fallen short in every major tournament including the 2018 World Cup (pictured)
He said: ‘It has to be better in every way.
‘The standard is the top. If you can’t handle the top, you’re not good enough.
‘And then you have to give everything on the field. Even that is not done by some.
‘I can accept that we are not that good. I am also the first to say that in the past.
‘But other things are unacceptable. I am not going to dwell on it. I did that when I was eighteen at Racing Genk.
‘Now I am 33 and I don’t do that anymore.’
The rift within the camp only grew when Tedesco answered questions from reporters, with the coach urging his captain to ‘calm down’.
He said: ‘I didn’t see the interview. After the huddle, I spoke to Kevin.
Vercauteren has been technical director for just over a year and faced the wrath of De Bruyne
Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco said: ‘Am I afraid that he’s going to stop playing international? You shouldn’t talk about that now. Everyone needs to calm down’
Belgium’s next match is a huge clash in the Nations League against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico
‘You know, it’s normal that he’s disappointed. We all are. Kevin is a winner. He was emotional. And then you can say things like that sometimes.
‘Am I afraid that he’s going to stop playing international? You shouldn’t talk about that now. Everyone needs to calm down.’
Belgium’s next match is a huge clash in the Nations League against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in exactly a month’s time – it remains to be seen whether one of the country’s all-time greats will be leading his side out that night.
