First he retired from the national team, now he’s returning to Pep Guardiola: Ilkay Gündogan is leaving FC Barcelona after just one year. Now it’s back to the Etihad Stadium instead of the Camp Nou.
After a dinner with mentor Pep Guardiola in his Catalan restaurant, Ilkay Gündogan’s spectacular return to his beloved club Manchester City was sealed. “When you leave this place, when you’ve been away for a year, you start to appreciate the place even more. You realise what you had. You realise how great that time was,” said Gündogan, who is celebrating a surprise comeback at the English football champions after just one year in the service of FC Barcelona. “You realise how big the club is – the best club in the world.”
Gündogan and Man City – that was a unique success story for seven years. The 33-year-old won 14 titles in the Sky Blues jersey. In the end, he was even captain and the extended arm of star coach Guardiola, who had pushed for his star pupil to return. “Everyone knows how much respect I have for Pep. He is the best coach in the world and working with him every day makes you a better player. I can’t wait to work with him again,” said Gündogan.
Gündogan makes second decision about his future
The midfielder, who signed a contract until the end of the season plus an option for a further year, has thus made another decision about his future within a matter of days. Only on Monday he announced his departure from the German national team after 82 international matches.
According to consistent reports, Gündogan is even returning to Manchester on a free transfer, although he still had a contract in Barcelona until 2026. He was never really happy with the Catalans, the ex-Dortmund player himself speaks of a “difficult time” and wrote to X in the direction of Barça fans: “If my departure helps the club financially, it makes me less sad.”
According to consistent media reports, the Catalans, who have been coached by former national coach Hansi Flick since this season, had previously told Gündogan that he should leave during this transfer window. Gündogan’s advisor and uncle Ilhan had stated on August 8 that although some clubs were interested, his nephew wanted to stay. Flick recently reported a conversation with Gündogan, but did not give any details.
What role Olmo played in the change
The background is apparently the signing of the Spanish European football champion Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig. The financially troubled Catalans wanted to save Gündogan’s million-euro salary at all costs because Olmo, who was signed for 55 million euros, has not yet been registered due to the restrictions of the Spanish league and has not yet been able to play for Barcelona.
A million-dollar salary that City is happy to pay for Gündogan. The transfer had been hinted at for the past few days. On Wednesday evening, the breakthrough finally came. Gündogan met with Guardiola in the Tast restaurant, of which the coach is a co-owner. City’s managing director Ferran Soriano was also there. Afterwards, Gündogan signed autographs. Everything was familiar. It’s fitting that the midfield star has kept his apartment in the city center.
Guardiola raves about Gündogan
In 2016, Guardiola really wanted the then BVB star and got him. He was not disappointed. In his last City season to date, 2022/2023, Gündogan was even captain of the Cityzens and led them to the treble of Champions League, league and cup. In total, he won the English championship five times under Guardiola.
“I’m married, but I adore Gündogan,” Guardiola once joked. In an interview with “Stern” in June, he raved about the qualities of the Gelsenkirchen native: “Ilkay didn’t talk much, but when he did, everyone listened, including me as manager. He is a very clever player, one of the cleverest I have ever coached. He was a key to our success.” Now more are to follow.
Source: Stern

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