Ilkay Gündoğan recently shared insights into the profound influence Pep Guardiola has had on his career, highlighting a clear preference for the Spanish manager over Jürgen Klopp, despite having played under both. Ilkay Gündoğan, a German international, has enjoyed an illustrious career under these two renowned managers. His decision to rank Guardiola as the more influential of the two underscores the unique impact Guardiola has had on him as a player.
In the summer of 2023, Ilkay Gündoğan made a high-profile move to FC Barcelona after a successful stint with Manchester City. His tenure with City culminated in a historic treble, where the club secured the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. Despite joining Barcelona, financial issues within the club allowed the experienced midfielder to briefly return to Manchester City.
Gündoğan’s association with City began in 2016, marking the start of a fruitful partnership with Guardiola. During his time at City, he faced fierce competition in the Premier League, especially from Klopp’s Liverpool and, more recently, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Having experienced these rivalries firsthand, Gündoğan offered an interesting perspective on how these teams compared.
In a candid interview, he reflected on the differences between the title races against Klopp’s Liverpool and Arteta’s Arsenal. He acknowledged that Arsenal’s playing style was much more aligned with Manchester City’s, largely due to Arteta’s prior experience under Guardiola. He noted that Arsenal’s approach on the field bears a significant resemblance to City’s, unlike Klopp’s Liverpool, which employed a distinctly different style of play.
Ilkay Gündoğan Highlights Guardiola’s Influence in His Footballing Journey
“Mikel knows this club, the players, and the manager very well,” Ilkay Gündoğan remarked, emphasizing the influence Guardiola has had on Arteta’s managerial approach. Given Arteta’s time as Guardiola’s assistant at City, it’s unsurprising that Arsenal’s tactical setup mirrors many elements of Guardiola’s philosophy.
While Ilkay Gündoğan has fond memories of his time at Borussia Dortmund under Klopp, he ultimately credited Guardiola as having the greater influence on him as a player. “It will also be the same with me if I coach. Pep will be a massive influence on how I want my teams to play,” Gündoğan admitted, hinting at the potential for him to pursue a coaching career in the future. This sentiment reflects the deep admiration Gündoğan has for Guardiola’s footballing ideology.
His acknowledgment of Guardiola’s influence is consistent with the trend seen in modern football, where several former Guardiola players have transitioned into coaching roles, adopting his methods and philosophy. Figures like Mikel Arteta, now at the helm of Arsenal, and Enzo Maresca, who was part of Guardiola’s coaching staff before pursuing his own managerial career, are prime examples of the lasting legacy Guardiola is building beyond his time on the touchline.
In choosing Guardiola as the manager who has shaped him the most, Ilkay Gündoğan joins a growing list of footballers who have been inspired by the Spaniard’s tactical acumen and innovative approach to the game. His remarks offer a glimpse into the profound impact Guardiola has had, not just on the football pitch, but on the minds of those who have had the privilege of working with him.
READ MORE: Lionel Messi Triumphs Over Cristiano Ronaldo in £27M Auction Battle for Rare Ferrari
READ MORE: Kevin De Bruyne Set to Miss Arsenal ClashTitle Race Hangs in the Balance