Pep Guardiola failed to hide his delight – or his surprise – after Manchester City confirmed the return of treble-winning captain Ilkay Gundogan this morning.
Gundogan returns to City after 12 months at Barcelona and, assuming the paperwork is completed in time, will go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s home game with newly promoted Ipswich at the Etihad.
The former Germany international, who captained his country at this summer’s European Championship before announcing his retirement from international football, is now 33 years of age but Guardiola had no doubts about bringing him back to Manchester.
I am back 💙 … and I hope we can continue where we‘ve stopped in Summer 2023. 🏆🏆🏆 Thanks to everyone who made this comeback possible. My seven years in Manchester have been an exceptional period in my life – to have the opportunity to return here means so much. Come on City!… pic.twitter.com/ayKO3Kheuk
— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) August 23, 2024
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A complete surprise – Pep
He said: “A complete surprise, unexpected, it happened and we know him quite well. Me personally, but the staff, the players, everyone, and the quality that he played last season in Barcelona was a high, high level, consistent, a lot of games.
“We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility to re-sign him was open, and we’re absolutely delighted that he’s back.
“Of course he’s not a teenager anymore. But the reason why we decided to take the chance to do it is for the level he played last season. Even in the Euros he played really, really good as well.”
Gundogan’s familiarity with City, and Guardiola’s tactics, mean there will be no time required for adaptation.
Guardiola added: “He knows what we have to do, he doesn’t need to adapt; he knows the city, he knows the club, he knows his team-mates, the way we want to play. So he will be immediately settled good, and that’s why we did it.
“He has not come here to retire, or remember the good memories, now it’s time to get your shoes on, and play your best.”
Guardiola not ruling out more transfer activity
City have been relatively quiet in the transfer window this summer and Guardiola is not expecting any more additions to his squad, but admitted that could change over the next week.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. I don’t know what’s going to happen, maybe something happens in terms of injuries – hopefully not – or the market provides something unexpected that financially suits, or tactically. Right now I don’t think so,” he said.
Midfielder Rodri is not expected to be fit for tomorrow’s game but Savinho could play against the Tractor Boys, who lost 2-0 to Liverpool last weekend while City opened their campaign with a 2-0 win at Chelsea.
