In a recent revelation, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shared his thoughts on the surprising yet welcomed return of Ilkay Gündogan. The German midfielder, who played a pivotal role during his time at City, has made headlines once again as Guardiola opened up about how the decision to re-sign him came about.
Gündogan’s Return: An Unexpected Opportunity
Guardiola described the opportunity to bring Gündogan back to Manchester City as completely unexpected. “Gündogan was a total surprise, unexpected… we didn’t have any doubts when the opportunity was presented to sign Ilkay!” Guardiola stated, emphasizing that while the chance to re-sign Gündogan wasn’t planned, it was one that the club quickly embraced.
A Collective Desire to Reunite
It wasn’t just Guardiola who was excited about the prospect of Gündogan returning to the squad. According to the City boss, the entire team and management were eager to have the midfielder back. “All of us wanted him here again, me personally of course but all of us,” Guardiola shared, highlighting the collective desire within the club to reunite with one of their former stars.
The Decision: A No-Brainer for Guardiola
When it came down to making the decision, Guardiola didn’t hesitate. He recounted the moment he received the news from Manchester City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain: “I got a message from Txiki saying: Ilkay wants to talk to you. I say ‘okay’ and immediately it was a yes.” Guardiola described the Gündogan deal as a “no-brainer,” indicating that there was no doubt in his mind that bringing the experienced midfielder back was the right move.
Gündogan’s Impact on City’s Future
Pep Guardiola’s enthusiasm about Ilkay Gündogan’s return speaks volumes about the impact the midfielder has had—and will continue to have—on Manchester City. While the opportunity to re-sign him came as a surprise, it was one that the club seized without hesitation. Gündogan’s return is poised to strengthen City’s midfield, and his experience and leadership will be invaluable as the team continues to compete at the highest level.
Anything Can Happen: As Guardiola himself said, “You know when you say: anything can happen? That’s the case!” Gündogan’s return is a testament to the unpredictable nature of football, where opportunities can arise unexpectedly but can also lead to game-changing decisions.