Manchester City recently welcomed a familiar face back to the club.
Following his departure to Barcelona as a free agent last summer, Ilkay Gundogan returned to the Manchester club on a one-year deal with an option for another one, despite signing a three-year deal with the Spanish club in 2023.
Now that he has become a City player for a second time, the 33-year-old has highlighted one thing he’s particularly looking forward to in his second spell with the Blues.
Ilkay Gundogan says he can’t wait to work with Pep Guardiola again after Man City return
In a recent interview shared on the official Man City website, Gundogan had this to say about Pep Guardiola now that the midfielder has made his return to the Etihad Stadium.
He said: “Everyone knows the respect I have for Pep – he is the best manager in the world and working with him every day makes you a better player.
“You feel constantly challenged, which for any professional is exactly what you want. I cannot wait to work with him again.”
Guardiola will be delighted to have Gundogan back
During his seven-year period at City, Gundogan made 304 appearances across all competitions, scoring 60 goals, supplying 38 assists and winning multiple trophies along the way.
In fact, the German captained the Blues to their historic Treble in the 2022/23 season, bagging 11 goals and providing seven assists in 51 games.
Even though Guardiola’s side won the Premier League without him last season, Paul Merson said that City made a big mistake letting Gundogan leave last summer and bringing in Mateo Kovacic as a replacement.
Having scored five goals and delivered 14 assists in 51 games for Barcelona last season, it’d be safe to say that Guardiola would be delighted to see Gundogan back in his squad.
