“Get your shoes on! Manchester City is not a place to retire’ – Pep Guardiola’s no-nonsense message to Ilkay Gundogan as he insists returning hero hasn’t come back to Man City to retir
On Friday, Gundogan completed an astonishing comeback to City, little over a year after departing for Barcelona. During his seven-year tenure with the team, he scored 60 goals in 304 appearances and won 14 championships.
GUARDIOLA’S MENTION
Guardiola said during a news conference, “He has not come here to retire, or recall the wonderful memories. Now it is time to get your shoes on, and play your best.” He does not need to adjust because he is familiar with the situation, the team, the city, and our preferred style of play. Consequently, we took this action since he will be well-established right now.”
Gundogan gives even more competition to a strong, albeit aging, midfield that helped City win three Premier League championships in a row between 2021 and 2023. He is just City’s second summer acquisition after winger Savinho left Troyes to join, and because he is a free agent, the team may still use the £82 million ($107 million) they received from the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid to acquire additional players.
WERE YOU AWARENESS?
Guardiola did, however, state he did not anticipate City adding any more players before the transfer market closes on September 1. He said, “I do not think so.” “I am not sure what will happen; either there will be an injury, which is hopefully not the case, or the market will provide something unexpected that makes sense strategically or financially. I do not think so at the moment.”
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