Ilkay Gundogan has been speaking about Pep Guardiola, and the influence he has had on him.
The midfielder was speaking to ESPN FC, after recently leaving Manchester City for Barcelona.
Gundogan decided he wanted a new chapter, having played a key role in City’s dominance over the past five or six years.
City did offer Gundogan a new contract.
But it wasn’t what the 32-year-old was seeking and so, he took the opportunity to depart on a free.
If he was to leave, it was always going to be for Barcelona, the player has confirmed.
He’ll now work under Xavi, another student of Guardiola.
Ilkay Gundogan hails Pep Guardiola
Gundogan is a new Barcelona player, but the star couldn’t help but rave about Guardiola after spending seven years at the Etihad Stadium.
Gundogan was the Spaniard’s very first signing at City.
It ended up being a brilliant relationship, and Gundogan has suggested that Guardiola’s influence may well push him towards management in the future.
He said: “After seven years of Pep school, I probably would say I didn’t know anything about football before. His influence, not just on the team but on me personally, was just immense.
“The aspects, the little details of the game that he has taught me. I think it’s very special. It’s something I will definitely take for the future and maybe go into coaching one day, having had that special experience with that special coach.”
Gundogan stands to become an amazing manager
It is lovely to hear Gundogan speak like this about Guardiola.
You can tell what a major impact Guardiola has had on him.
Gundogan really does stand to become a top coach one day, having spent so long working under the ‘special’ Guardiola.
And of course before Pep, Gundogan also worked under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund.
We have seen the work of the likes of Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta at their clubs. So there’s every chance Gundogan can become another fine coach after working with Pep.
