Ilkay Gundogan opens his voice about the possibility of a reunion
July 30, 2026 · DeutschlandItalia
Ilkay Gundogan discusses his future in the world of football, including the possibility of working with Pep Guardiola again as coach. He has completed his B coaching license and expressed interest in continuing a coaching career after retiring as a player.
Ilkay Gundogan opens his voice about the possibility of a reunion
According to Sports.
Background
Ilkay Gundogan, who currently plays for Galatasaray, has a long history in the Premier League with Manchester City. He is known as one of the key players at the club and has a close relationship with Pep Guardiola, which may influence his move into coaching.
Why this is important
Ilkay Gundogan, once captain of Manchester City, has had a very successful career in the Premier League, winning six Premier League titles and one Champions League. With his experience, his desire to move into coaching shows his commitment to remaining involved in football after retirement. The possibility of collaborating with Pep Guardiola, who is known as a great coach, could have a big impact on his future coaching career.
Main Points
- Ilkay Gundogan opens his voice about the possibility of a reunion.
- Ilkay Gundogan discusses his future in the world of football, including the possibility of working with Pep Guardiola again as coach.
- Ilkay Gundogan opens up on future reunion with Pep Guardiola and managerial career - Yahoo Sports.
Former Manchester City captain, Ilkay Gundogan, recently spoke openly about the possibility of collaborating again with Pep Guardiola in a coaching capacity after his playing days end. The 35-year-old currently plays for Galatasaray in Türkiye after two successful spells at the Etihad Stadium.
In an in-depth interview with Sky in Germany, Gundogan discussed his future in football, both as a player and as a potential coach. During his decade at Manchester City, he won six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League and various other trophies, making him one of the key players in the club's history. "An extraordinary human being," said Gundogan when mentioning Enzo Maresca, who is now assigned as Man City coach.
Gundogan's relationship with Guardiola, known as one of the most watched player-manager partnerships in modern football, continues even though they are no longer at the same club. In the interview, Gundogan was asked about the possibility of an offer to join the German national team in a coaching capacity, or with a club in the future.
"Nothing has happened yet, apart from Pep (Guardiola), who made a light comment last year. He said I should play a few more years and then maybe become his assistant coach, but because he doesn't have a job yet, we have to wait and see," said Gundogan.
Currently, Gundogan is enjoying his time on the pitch playing and training. "I still love playing football. In my mind, I would like to play a few more years, but that can change overnight – especially at my age," he added.
Gundogan also said that he had completed his B license for training and was happy with the process. "I really enjoyed that; it was a lot of fun. I wanted to pursue that path after my playing career and give it a go. I could imagine doing that – even for the DFB, in any role," he said.
When asked if it would be possible to coach under Guardiola within the Italian national team structure, Gundogan added, "He didn't, of course. In the end, it was also good for me, so I didn't have to make that decision (laughs). I have a very good relationship with Pep. That's clear. We are still in touch and respect each other. Becoming Pep's assistant coach is an option that I really envision, but in the end, he will always have his own ideas for the future. The best thing for me is to focus on myself and prepare for all possibilities."
Gundogan's review of his experiences at Manchester City and the warmth with which he talks about his past at the club shows just how deep the bonds have been. Nine years, numerous trophies and two spells at the same club have further strengthened this relationship. Enzo Maresca is now tasked with building the next chapter at the Etihad Stadium, having previously been part of Guardiola's coaching staff in the 2022-23 treble season, where Gundogan also played an important role.
Although Guardiola is not currently involved in management after leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of the 2024-25 season, Gundogan's coaching scenario is becoming more likely to materialize, with both men in a position to reflect, prepare and plan what might happen next. Whether the reunion Guardiola joked about on the touchline – with Gundogan wearing a trainer's suit – will materialize in a formal sense remains open, but this interview reminds us of the extraordinary culture Guardiola has built at Manchester City and the people it has produced.
What happened next
Gundogan currently plays for Galatasaray in the Turkish League and has shown interest in continuing his coaching career after retirement. If an offer to join the German national team or another club arises, this could be a significant first step in his coaching journey. Meanwhile, his good relationship with Guardiola and the coach's light-hearted comments about their future will continue to be in the spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ilkay Gundogan discuss in his recent interview?
Ilkay Gundogan discussed the possibility of collaborating with Pep Guardiola again in a coaching capacity after his playing days end.
Who confirmed the possibility of Gundogan working with Guardiola again?
Ilkay Gundogan himself confirmed this possibility in his interview.
Why is Gundogan discussing his coaching career now?
Gundogan discusses his current coaching career as he considers his future in football, both as a player and as a future coach.
What has changed in Gundogan and Guardiola's relationship?
Gundogan and Guardiola's relationship remains good even though they are no longer at the same club, and Gundogan is open to the possibility of working together in the future.
What is Guardiola's comment about Gundogan becoming coach?
Pep Guardiola has said that Gundogan should play a few more years before perhaps becoming his assistant coach, but there is currently no job on offer.