Pep Guardiola shares how Gundogan’s ‘unexpected’ transfer from Barcelona happened

Earlier today, Barcelona officially confirmed the departure of Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer to his former club, Manchester City.

Needless to say, the move will go down as one of the most controversial and hotly debated transfers of the summer for a long time to come, especially when one considers that the German veteran was the team’s best player last season.

As the player confirmed in his farewell message, however, he opted to leave to help the club with their financial situation, for the administration could not find any other way to register the new signings for the new season.

Guardiola has his say

Speaking to the media earlier today, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola commented on the team’s latest signing and how the treble-winning captain’s return was almost a miracle.

“Most of the time all the managers say in the transfer window anything can happen so this is the real proof,” he began.

“It was a surprise, unexpected. We know him quite well – the staff and players,” he added.

Speaking specifically on the high level of football the German star produced in Catalonia last season, the Spanish tactician said: “We know the quality he plays last year at Barcelona. High, high level.”

“We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility was open and we’re delighted he is back,” he added on the transfer.

Guardiola then elaborated on how the midfielder’s move back to England unfolded and the conversation that he had with Gundogan.

“The important thing is he wants to come back. I got the message from [sporting director] Txiki [Begiristain] that Ilkay wants to talk to you and call you. He called me and asked about the situation.”

“I said yes and now we are here and he has to deliver a good season,” he added.

Finally, the manager refuted any theories that the midfielder was returning to Manchester City as some sort of a swansong, insisting that he still had it in him to shine for a few years at least.

“The feeling is that he doesn’t come to retire or to remember good memories. We have time to do that in the future. Now it is time to put your shoes on and do your best.”

Source: ESPN