The former Manchester United goalkeeper has lifted the lid on his life since leaving Old Trafford
David de Gea has been nothing but honest about his side this season(Image: YouTube/Fiorentina Official)
Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has opened up about his year spent away from the game. The Spaniard has referred to those 12 months as the “best” of his life.
De Gea became a legend at Old Trafford. The now 35-year-old won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson as he claimed the mantle as one of the greatest shot-stoppers in the game.
After 12 seasons at United, he left in July 2023 and spent the entirety of the 2023/24 season as a free agent before signing with Serie A club Fiorentina, where he continues to play his football to this day. Thursday will see De Gea return to English shores with La Viola as they take on Crystal Palace in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-finals.
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The former Atletico Madrid star has endured a mixed season in Florence, with Paolo Vanoli’s side becoming embroiled in a relegation fight. De Gea and his team-mates have since pulled off a dramatic U-turn, however, and began climbing the Serie A standings.
Touching on his life spent outside of the sport after leaving United, De Gea told Gazetta: “It was an easy decision. After 12 years at United, I needed a break.
“So I took a year off to dedicate to my family and friends: it was the best year of my life. But I continued to train with a coach, Craig, who was very supportive and did a great job with me.
De Gea was a free agent for a season before Fiorentina took a chance on him(Image: Getty Images)
“I was sure I could compete at a high level again. When Fiorentina called me, I was ready. The first time I walked into Rocco B. Commisso Viola Park, I was speechless: there aren’t many facilities like it in Europe.”
De Gea waxed lyrical over his time in Manchester. He labelled Sir Alex a “father figure” and insisted that losing the Premier League in agonising circumstances to city rivals Manchester City in 2012 was the driving force behind United’s title win the following season.
“We lost the Premier League in our first year when City took the title from us with a last-minute win despite our victory over Sunderland. I made up for it by winning it in 2012/13 – every game at United was special,” he continued.
Elaborating on Fiorentina’s difficulties this season, he said: “There’s no explanation. We started badly and put a lot of pressure on ourselves. It was tough for me too, as I found myself fighting for survival for the first time.
David de Gea pictured during his playing days at Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
“The young players suffered more; in these situations, you have to be mentally strong. I wasn’t at my best either, but I didn’t give up. Hard work is the only way to get out of it.
“The hardest moment was at the end of 2025, when we were last, hadn’t won a game, and the statistics said no one in our situation had ever survived. I was worried then: I felt like I was in a nightmare. Now, however, we’ve improved in many areas and are still in the running in the Conference, but we have to keep working hard.”
The tie against Palace has been one to watch for the star, with returning to England always a tantalising prospect. He concluded: “We’re focused on Serie A, but we have to believe in it. Crystal Palace are strong, and it’ll be great for me to return to England. Winning a trophy would be amazing for the fans; we can do it.”
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