Ilkay Gundogan feels privileged to have worked under Pep Guardiola, because the midfielder thanked his former Boss in Manchester City for giving “everything he wanted in football.
Earlier this month, the German veteran left the Etihad Stadium for Galatasaray, after eight seasons with City in two spells that brought five Premier League titles and a Champions League crown.
Gundogan also led the city to the Treble in the 2022-23 season before he left for Barcelona and returned a year later to the side of Guardiola in 2024.
The 34-year-old was the first signing of Guardiola who was in charge of the Premier League side in 2016, with Gundogan expressing his honor to play among a coach who see many as the most influential in world football.
“It was great. I would say it is more than just a relationship between manager player. It is more than that,” said Gundogan on the official media channels of the city.
“He gave me everything I wanted in football, I learned so much. He also had such a big impact on my career, and I think without him that what I have achieved, what we have achieved would not have been possible.
“I think every player who played among him, especially in the era of Manchester City, will probably say the same thing. We are all very grateful and we feel privileged that we had the chance to work with the best.”
Gundogan made 358 performances in all competitions for City, vary from his debut in September 2016 and after his stint in one season in Barcelona, with only Nomouwon, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva who manage more in that period.
He managed 65 goals and 44 assists, leaving him ninth on the list of the city for targets in the same time frame, with 109.
Ilkay Gundogan has joined Galatasaray with a permanent deal, depending on international approval.
Thank you, @Ilkayguendogan
– Manchester City (@Mancity) September 2, 2025
One of those lives in memory, however, where Gundogan scored after just 12 seconds in the FA Cup final of 2022-23 against Manchester United, who remains the fastest goal ever in the showpiece of that competition.
That stunning volley against City’s fierce rivals helped Gundogan to one of the two FA Cup crowns under Guardiola, as well as four EFL cup wins during a shimmering period of his trophy-loaded career.
The second departure of Gundogan from the city followed a disappointing season 2024-25 that the club saw for the first time since the first season of Guardiola in a campaign in a campaign.
However, the chance of ending his career in Galatasaray was a tempting opportunity, given the Turkish heritage of Gundogan.
“I feel mixed emotions, to be honest,” Gundogan said in an interview that was included in the Ataturk Stadium of Istanbul, where City lifted the Champions League trophy in 2023 after beating Inter.
“It is clear that it is in the club for eight years, gathering many memories – usually beautiful and successful – but also at my youth club, the club I supported since I was a little boy and my whole family supports this club.
“Returning to our home country, it is something I am really looking forward to and that makes me really happy.”
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