'Everything I wanted in football' - Gundogan hails Man City boss Guardiola

Ilkay Gundogan feels privileged to have worked under Pep Guardiola as the midfielder thanked his former Manchester City boss for giving him "everything" he wanted in football.

The German veteran left the Etihad Stadium for Galatasaray earlier this month, having played eight seasons with City across two spells that brought five Premier League titles and a Champions League crown.

Gundogan also captained City to the treble in the 2022-23 season before leaving for Barcelona and returning a year later to Guardiola's side in 2024.

The 34-year-old was Guardiola's first signing in charge of the Premier League side back in 2016, with Gundogan expressing his honour to play under a coach many see as the most influential in world football.

"It was amazing. I would say it's more than just a manager-player relationship. It's more than that," Gundogan said on City's official media channels.

"He gave me everything that I wanted in football, I've learned so much. He had such a big impact also on my career, and I think without him that what I've achieved, what we have achieved, would not have been possible.

"I think every single player that played under him, especially in the era of Manchester City, will probably say the same. We are all very grateful, and we feel privileged that we had the opportunity to work with the best."

Gundogan made 358 appearances across all competitions for City, spanning from his debut in September 2016 and after his single-season stint at Barcelona, with only Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva managing more in that period.

One of those lives long in the memory, however, with Gundogan having scored after just 12 seconds in the 2022-23 FA Cup final against Manchester United, which remains the fastest-ever goal in the showpiece of that competition.

That stunning volley against City's fierce rivals helped Gundogan to one of two FA Cup crowns under Guardiola, as well as four EFL Cup wins during a glittering period of his trophy-laden career.

Gundogan's second departure from City followed a disappointing 2024-25 season that saw the club go without a major trophy in a campaign for the first time since Guardiola's maiden season in charge.

"I'm feeling mixed emotions, to be honest," Gundogan said in an interview recorded at Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium, where City lifted the Champions League trophy in 2023 after beating Inter.

"Obviously, being at the club for a total of eight years, collecting many memories - mostly beautiful ones and successful ones - but then also joining my childhood club, the club that I supported since I was a little boy and my whole family supports this club.

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