Ilkay Gundogan, who has been managed by both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp throughout his career, has named which of the two legendary bosses has had a greater influence of him.
The German joined Barcelona in the summer of 2023 following City’s record-equalling treble campaign which saw them lift the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup trophies.
However, due to the financial problems that face the Spanish giants, the midfielder was able to return to the Etihad for free last month.
Gundogan initially joined City in 2016 and is one of the current City stars to have been involved in title races against Klopp’s iconic Liverpool side and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side.
In a recent interview, the German international compared the experience of what battling both squads was like.
“It’s a bit different to the Liverpool rivalry,” Gundogan said. ‘Because of the way the teams play. Arsenal are much more similar to how we play than Klopp’s Liverpool ever were,” he explained.
“Mikel knows this club, the players, and the manager very well. He worked with Pep and there is a huge influence with Pep on Mikel.”
Despite also playing under Klopp for a number of years during his time at Borussia Dortmund, Gundogan snubbed the former Liverpool boss when choosing which of the pair have had the most influence on him.
“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,” he explained.
Ilkay Gundogan- Getty
However, this may not come as much as a shock considering those who have already followed in Pep’s footsteps when making the transition into management.
The likes of Arteta and Enzo Maresca are already two examples of coaches in the Premier League who have come directly from Pep’s coaching staff.
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Topics: Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta, Premier League