‘I played under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola – it’s clear which one taught me the most’

‘I played under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola – it’s clear which one taught me the most’

Only a handful of players have worked under both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

 

Ilkay Gundogan

Ilkay Gundogan has worked under Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp (Image: Getty)

 

Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan has spoken openly about what he has learned from Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp as a player.

 

Only a handful of stars have had the pleasure of working under two of the best managers to grace the Premier League’s touchlines, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Thiago Alcantara also among that small group of players.

 

Gundogan has also enjoyed successful stints with both bosses, having captained Borussia Dortmund during Klopp’s time at Signal Iduna Park before twice being signed by Guardiola at City.

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The Germany international has since heaped praise on both managers, and his experience in both dressing rooms will prove invaluable when he takes an expected step into management once his on-field career concludes.

 

Speaking about the differences between the two last year, Gundogan told ESPN: “Before I joined Man City I thought ‘I know football’. I was 25, 26 years old so I thought I’ve seen a lot, I’ve won league titles, cup titles.

 

“But now, standing here after seven years of Pep’s school, I probably would say I didn’t know anything about football before. His influence, not just on the team, also on me personally, was just immense.

 

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Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp was a roaring success at Borussia Dortmund (Image: Getty)

 

“The aspects, the little details of the game that he has taught me and showed to us I think is very special.”

 

Asked about both managers in 2022, Gundogan credited Klopp’s man-management skills as to why he has been such a successful manager but insisted that he was very pleased to be working under Guardiola.

 

He told Tivibu Spor: “When I came to Dortmund at the age of 20, I had an adaptation problem. The first six months were tough for me. But Klopp helped me because he treated his players like a father figure, like a friend. He was always with me, gave me confidence.

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Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola pushed for City to sign Gundogan on two separate occasions (Image: Getty)

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“I spent five successful years with him. I became a national player. I started working with [Joachim] Low. Then I had an incredible season with [Thomas] Tuchel in Dortmund. Then I had the opportunity to work with Guardiola.

 

“As I have always been a fan of Guardiola, I always wanted to work with him. In 2016, the opportunity arose and we had a phone call with him. We talked, we argued, and I finally came to Manchester City.

 

“I have been very happy here for five, six years. I am very happy with Pep, even my neighbour himself. He is a coach who has given me a lot. I am very satisfied with the coaches I have worked with so far.”

 

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