Ilkay Gundogan’s Return to Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s Phone Call Sparks Stunning Transfer
Manchester City’s reunion with Ilkay Gundogan began with a personal phone call between the German midfielder and Pep Guardiola, as revealed in a recent interview.
Gundogan, now 33, made a surprising return to the Etihad Stadium at the end of the last summer transfer window, a year after leaving following the expiration of his contract.
Gundogan had left Manchester City after captaining the team to a historic Treble, including their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, cementing his legacy as one of the club’s greatest leaders.
However, financial challenges at FC Barcelona during the summer led to Gundogan being considered expendable due to his age and the need to prioritize other players for La Liga registration.
In an interview with MailSport’s Ian Ladyman, Gundogan shared details of a private phone conversation he had with Guardiola that reignited his return to City.
“When I was sure it would be amazing to come back, I spoke with Pep,” he said. Gundogan explained that he called Guardiola to see if he could imagine his return, admitting he was nervous but hopeful. “My relationship with Pep was always good,” Gundogan added, recalling that even while he was at Barcelona, they had stayed in contact.
To Gundogan’s relief, Guardiola was enthusiastic about the idea, even saying that if it had been up to him, the move could have been completed the next day.
Upon his return to City, Gundogan is expected to play a different role, often coming off the bench early on. However, with a busy schedule ahead, including Premier League, Carabao Cup, and UEFA Champions League matches, Gundogan is likely to see more playing time as the season progresses.
Ilkay Gundogan’s Return to Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s Phone Call Sparks Stunning Transfer
