New Barcelona signing Ilkay Gundogan said that Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola had been unable to stop him leaving the European Champions at the end of last season to join FC Barcelona.
The 32-year-old joined Barcelona on a free transfer after rejecting a new deal with City and was presented to the press and fans on Monday lunchtime.
When asked about his decision to leave City to take up the challenge at Barcelona, Gundogan admitted that Guardiola had tried to get him to stay at the Ethiad Stadium.
“He couldn’t do much to convince me because it was very clear to me. We’ve known each other for seven years, last year I was their captain and sometimes just by looking at each other we understand each other, and that’s what happened,” he told the press.
The midfielder also explained that Guardiola was the first person he had called after signing for Barca.
“I wanted him to hear the news from me: I was on vacation and I called him to tell him everything,” he said.
Gundogan joined Barcelona as a direct replacement for Sergio Busquets, who has joined Inter Miami after spending all his career at the Camp Nou.
“I am convinced that I can use my experience to help the team and the younger players,” he said, adding he was optimistic he would help guide Barca out of the group stage of the Champions League after their failure to do so in the last two seasons.
Finally, he revealed that he had spoken to Barca striker, Robert Lewandowski when Germany played Poland in a friendly match in June.
“We spoke after the game and we talked about Barcelona, I was amazed at the sparkle in his eyes when he referred to his life in Barcelona and at Barca. It didn’t make me decide to come, but it’s nice to see he is so happy here,” he commented.
