‘We didn’t have any doubts’ – Pep Guardiola on Ilkay Gundogan’s return from Barcelona
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said he had no doubts about bringing Ilkay Gundogan back to the club from Barcelona.
Gundogan is back with the Premier League champions after just one season in Barcelona, and Guardiola is delighted to be working with the German star once again.
“We know him quite well – me personally, but the staff and the players and everyone. You know the quality that he played last season in Barcelona, he played at a high, high level, consistency, playing a lot of minutes games and producing a lot. We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility was open and absolutely delighted he’s back,” he told reporters.
Guardiola also revealed he said “yes” straight away to Gundogan after the midfielder got on the phone.
“I got the message from Txiki that Ilkay wants to talk to you, wants to call you. OK, so he called me and asked me the situation how it was, if there was a chance to come back, if we would like. We say ‘yes’ immediately, so this is the most important thing.
“Now we are here and he has to deliver a good season, a good two seasons here. This is now what you have to work with. I have the feeling he doesn’t come to retire or doesn’t come here to remember the good memories that we had.”
Gundogan moves on a free transfer and will be hoping to be involved on Saturday when the champions take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
