Ilkay Gundogan has spent years working with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Gundogan was Guardiola’s first signing at Manchester City in 2016 — exemplifying how highly the Catalan tactician rates him.
After Manchester City’s 4-0 hammering of Slovan Bratislava, Pep Guardiola labelled Gundogan as “intelligent” as he deputised as a number six.
In the aftermath of City’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United, Guardiola assured Gundogan will return to his brilliant best as he felt the midfield maestro is still not in top form.
Fabrizio Romano revealed in August that Pep Guardiola set the wheels in motion for Gundogan’s transfer to Manchester City after he was informed by Barcelona that he was surplus to requirements.
Guardiola and Gundogan were spotted at dinner in Manchester ahead of his move becoming finalised.
Ilkay Gundogan says Pep Guardiola appreciates his experience
The pair share a strong bond due to how long they have worked with each other.
The Manchester City duo’s association has been a hugely successful one as well — winning every possible trophy in tandem.
Gundogan has revealed that a quality of his that Pep Guardiola appreciates is his invaluable experience.
The German told The Official Man City Podcast: “When I say experience, I don’t always mean the age, you know? Someone who’s 26 or 27 can also be very experienced, like we have a few of the boys in our team.”
“By experience, I mean experience with what the manager is expecting the team on how to perform, understanding his concepts, type and style of game. I think that’s something Pep [Guardiola] personally appreciates about me a lot.”
“I am 33 now but I was 28, 29 a few years ago, that doesn’t change you know. And by having more players like that, you obviously help these young assets to also become better, to become better football players, become bigger assets for the teams and have bigger values at the end as well.”
“So, it’s kind of a mix but in modern football, obviously, people sometimes maybe don’t give so much attention to that but that’s something that me personally, be able to easily accept that, for me, that’s no problem at all.”
Pep Guardiola does not seem to be the only figure at City who appreciates the 33-year-old, with Bernardo Silva claiming Gundogan is smarter than Kevin De Bruyne and every other player at the club as well.
How Pep Guardiola reacted to Gundogan’s Man City return shows how much he respects him
In a squad that features young players like Rico Lewis (19), Savinho (20), James McAtee (21), Jeremy Doku (22) and Josko Gvardiol (22) to name a few, experience is key.
Manchester City have plenty of vastly experienced players of all ages such as Kyle Walker (34) and Kevin De Bruyne (33) as well as Phil Foden (24) and Erling Haaland (24).
As Gundogan continues to find his feet at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s respect and admiration for him is evident by the way he reacted to the veteran’s return to the club.
Guardiola said via Manchester City’s official website: “We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility was open so we’re absolutely delighted that he’s back.”
“I got a message from Txiki [Begiristain] saying Ilkay wants to talk to you. He called me and asked about the situation and if there was a chance to come back if I would like it and we said yes immediately.”
“I have a feeling that he doesn’t come here to retire or remember good memories that we have. We have time for the good memories in the future but now it’s time for shoes on and play your best.”
Pep Guardiola will be hoping that Gundogan can put his experience to use in a Manchester City shirt once again and help them win trophies this season.
The former Barcelona maestro’s experience will be key for a City side that have already lost Rodri to a season-ending injury.
Gundogan will have to lead by example on the pitch and in the dressing room, especially in the Spaniard’s absence.
The treble-winner has been re-signed due to how willing he seems to do so.
