Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola recently shared his surprise and excitement over Ilkay Gundogan’s return to the club. Gundogan, who rejoined City from Barcelona on August 23, completed his transfer back to Manchester City on a free transfer after Barcelona decided to release him from the remaining two years of his contract. This move was facilitated by Barcelona's need to create space for new signings, including Dani Olmo.
Guardiola expressed his astonishment at the unexpected nature of the transfer. The manager reflected on the unpredictable dynamics of the transfer window, acknowledging that such surprises are part of the football world. Despite the surprise element, Guardiola made it clear that there were no doubts from City’s side when the chance to bring Gundogan back arose.
“It was a surprise, unexpected,” Guardiola admitted. “We know him quite well; the staff and players are very familiar with his qualities. We saw his performances last year at Barcelona—he was at a very high level. When the opportunity came, we had no doubts and we are delighted to have him back.”
The return of Gundogan, a midfielder known for his exceptional skill and leadership, is viewed as a significant boost for Manchester City. Guardiola stressed that Gundogan’s return is not a mere nostalgic journey or a final chapter in his career. Instead, the manager is confident that Gundogan’s intention is to make a meaningful contribution to the team and help them achieve their objectives for the season.
“The important thing is that he wants to come back,” Guardiola said. “I received a message from [sporting director] Txiki Begiristain that Ilkay wanted to discuss the situation with me. He called and we talked. Now, we are here, and he needs to deliver a strong season.”
Guardiola humorously added that Gundogan’s focus should be on making a significant impact rather than reminiscing about past achievements. “The feeling is that he doesn’t come back to retire or just to relive old memories. We’ll have time for that in the future. For now, it’s about putting your shoes on and giving your best performance,” Guardiola remarked.
Gundogan is expected to make his second debut for Manchester City on August 24, marking the beginning of his renewed journey with the club. His return is anticipated to bring added depth and experience to the squad as City prepares for the upcoming challenges in the new season.
