He has been the driving force in the Manchester City game since 2016: Ilkay Gündogan. Under coach Pep Guardiola, the German international is almost always seeded and has matured into one of the best midfielders in the world in recent years.
He owes this not only to Guardiola, but also to current Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp. Gündogan told Fantasy PL: “They are the two best coaches in the world. It’s a privilege to have been able to train under both of them,” said the 29-year-old.
Gündogan: “I think there are many footballers who are jealous of me because they don’t have that opportunity,” Gündogan said about Klopp and Guardiola. “Both have a place in my heart. Both have taught me a lot and are part of my success.”
He played for BVB for a total of five years – four of them under Klopp – before moving to the Premier League in 2016 with City and successful coach Guardiola. Gündogan would have had the opportunity to rejoin former Klopp coach at Liverpool FC. But that was out of the question for him.
“I believe in the challenges of life and I always try to challenge myself,” said Gündogan. If I don’t leave my comfort zone, I will never change or improve. I had four great years with Jürgen and I like him as a person and as a coach. But I had the feeling that there was something new.”
Under Guardiola, Gündogan became English Champion and League Cup Winner twice each, and he also won the FA Cup once with City. “I wanted to leave Dortmund and not think about spending time with Jürgen when I decided to join a new club. That was partly a reason for me not to go to Liverpool,” said Gündogan.