[Pol Ballús] Ilkay Gundogan’s Barcelona exit to move back to Man City – the inside story
August 25, 2024
[Pol Ballús] Ilkay Gundogan’s Barcelona exit to move back to Man City – the inside story
by xenojive
7 comments
It’s a fascinating article – glad Pol got the inside scoop right away/as it was happening!
Olmo – signed over 2 weeks ago, still not registered, missed 2 La Liga matches so far
Gundo – signed Fri, played Sat, haha
By Pol Balúss
23/08/24
On Thursday morning last week, Ilkay Gundogan arrived for Barcelona training ready to focus on the team’s season-opening fixture at Valencia.
Just a few hours after the session finished, he and his entourage went to work on finding a way out of the club.
The turning point was a key meeting with manager Hansi Flick. After training that day, the two Germans had a conversation. There had been growing uncertainty over Gundogan’s future, fuelled by reports in the local media, with some outlets — informed by Barca sources — claiming his salary was standing in the way of the club’s plans for 2024-25. Gundogan was aware of the speculation but had not paid it much attention. He was determined to stay at Barcelona, who he joined on a free transfer from Manchester City the previous summer, on a deal that had just been extended to June 2026.
He and his inner circle knew enough about what it means to be a footballer at Barcelona to understand that political games or media briefings are permanent fixtures in the (at times toxic) atmosphere of intrigue that exists around the club, known as the ‘entorno’. It was in this context that the meeting with Flick took place. Gundogan wanted clarity.
“I spoke with (Gundogan) to know how he feels ahead of the season,” Flick said in his pre Valencia press conference. “I know him very well. I appreciate the player and the person he is. We spoke about everything, but it will stay between us; it’s not for you to know. I have the feeling he will stay.”
Sources close to Gundogan — who, like all those cited here, preferred to speak anonymously to protect relationships — said he came away from the talk with a different view of things. Back at his city-centre home that very Thursday evening, he picked up the phone and called Pep Guardiola.
Last term, Gundogan was the most-used player under Xavi. That he played more than 60 per cent of Barca’s games meant the two-year deal he signed last summer was automatically extended by a further season.
Gundogan had since been told, by new boss Flick, that he could not be guaranteed a primary role this season, with the arrival of Dani Olmo — who signed for €60million (£50.1m; $66.6m) but still has not been registered — and the growing profiles of Pedri and Fermin Lopez seen as key factors.
But sources close to Gundogan insist they never received any clear communication about what his role would be over 2024-25 — nor were they told his place on the wage bill had become a problem. The message they received throughout the summer was that Barca were happy with the squad and did not plan any sales — but they were willing to listen to offers.
Gundogan stressed his respect for Flick — the manager who made him Germany captain — but after their meeting, the player was still not clear about what his role would be. Amid all this uncertainty, he decided to call his old club.
Gundogan wanted to know if there could be any chance of him returning to City. In his mind, if he had to look for a new challenge away from Barcelona, that was the only place he wanted to be. Over the summer, interest had been expressed by clubs in Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but sources close to the player said if City hadn’t been an option, he most likely would have stayed at Barca.
I feel bad for Gundo. He goes to Barca and from what I’ve heard, the club wouldn’t help him find an apartment. He has to have Bernardo’s sister help him. All the guys that wanted him there are gone. I’m glad he has that relationship with Pep that he can call him and essentially say, “save me”.
Barcelona are such a mess; I’m amazed they haven’t been shut down yet. Everything currently is a facade; beautiful on the outside but inside it’s nothing but rags and dirty laundry. Yikes.
Thankful Gundo is back, I hope he retires with City and continues to work as a coach eventually. Love the man.
I feel sad for what Barça have become. Pep’s Barça was so inspiring and brilliant; their focus on growing talent in the academy and team-above-individual ethos seemed to be the antidote to Real Madrid’s Galácticos/buy best players approach. Unfortunately for the likes of Gundo, Aguero, Cancelo, Xavi, etc., the place has lost the integrity of the Pep era, and it must feel like going from a 3 star Michelin restaurant to an Olive Garden.
“Hey we cannot afford these wages any longer.”
“”No issue, we love him: he loves us. And, we can pay him.”
<scene>
I’m so glad he’s back and after reading this, even more so. It’s always good for everyone when players are at a team/place where they’re happy and feel valued.
7 comments
It’s a fascinating article – glad Pol got the inside scoop right away/as it was happening!
Olmo – signed over 2 weeks ago, still not registered, missed 2 La Liga matches so far
Gundo – signed Fri, played Sat, haha
By Pol Balúss
23/08/24
On Thursday morning last week, Ilkay Gundogan arrived for Barcelona training ready to focus on the team’s season-opening fixture at Valencia.
Just a few hours after the session finished, he and his entourage went to work on finding a way out of the club.
The turning point was a key meeting with manager Hansi Flick. After training that day, the two Germans had a conversation. There had been growing uncertainty over Gundogan’s future, fuelled by reports in the local media, with some outlets — informed by Barca sources — claiming his salary was standing in the way of the club’s plans for 2024-25. Gundogan was aware of the speculation but had not paid it much attention. He was determined to stay at Barcelona, who he joined on a free transfer from Manchester City the previous summer, on a deal that had just been extended to June 2026.
He and his inner circle knew enough about what it means to be a footballer at Barcelona to understand that political games or media briefings are permanent fixtures in the (at times toxic) atmosphere of intrigue that exists around the club, known as the ‘entorno’. It was in this context that the meeting with Flick took place. Gundogan wanted clarity.
“I spoke with (Gundogan) to know how he feels ahead of the season,” Flick said in his pre Valencia press conference. “I know him very well. I appreciate the player and the person he is. We spoke about everything, but it will stay between us; it’s not for you to know. I have the feeling he will stay.”
Sources close to Gundogan — who, like all those cited here, preferred to speak anonymously to protect relationships — said he came away from the talk with a different view of things. Back at his city-centre home that very Thursday evening, he picked up the phone and called Pep Guardiola.
Last term, Gundogan was the most-used player under Xavi. That he played more than 60 per cent of Barca’s games meant the two-year deal he signed last summer was automatically extended by a further season.
Gundogan had since been told, by new boss Flick, that he could not be guaranteed a primary role this season, with the arrival of Dani Olmo — who signed for €60million (£50.1m; $66.6m) but still has not been registered — and the growing profiles of Pedri and Fermin Lopez seen as key factors.
But sources close to Gundogan insist they never received any clear communication about what his role would be over 2024-25 — nor were they told his place on the wage bill had become a problem. The message they received throughout the summer was that Barca were happy with the squad and did not plan any sales — but they were willing to listen to offers.
Gundogan stressed his respect for Flick — the manager who made him Germany captain — but after their meeting, the player was still not clear about what his role would be. Amid all this uncertainty, he decided to call his old club.
Gundogan wanted to know if there could be any chance of him returning to City. In his mind, if he had to look for a new challenge away from Barcelona, that was the only place he wanted to be. Over the summer, interest had been expressed by clubs in Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but sources close to the player said if City hadn’t been an option, he most likely would have stayed at Barca.
https://preview.redd.it/9sqhbu2njtkd1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f3e395961d9c7af226788ff102bd4e5cdc90278
I feel bad for Gundo. He goes to Barca and from what I’ve heard, the club wouldn’t help him find an apartment. He has to have Bernardo’s sister help him. All the guys that wanted him there are gone. I’m glad he has that relationship with Pep that he can call him and essentially say, “save me”.
Barcelona are such a mess; I’m amazed they haven’t been shut down yet. Everything currently is a facade; beautiful on the outside but inside it’s nothing but rags and dirty laundry. Yikes.
Thankful Gundo is back, I hope he retires with City and continues to work as a coach eventually. Love the man.
I feel sad for what Barça have become. Pep’s Barça was so inspiring and brilliant; their focus on growing talent in the academy and team-above-individual ethos seemed to be the antidote to Real Madrid’s Galácticos/buy best players approach. Unfortunately for the likes of Gundo, Aguero, Cancelo, Xavi, etc., the place has lost the integrity of the Pep era, and it must feel like going from a 3 star Michelin restaurant to an Olive Garden.
“Hey we cannot afford these wages any longer.”
“”No issue, we love him: he loves us. And, we can pay him.”
<scene>
I’m so glad he’s back and after reading this, even more so. It’s always good for everyone when players are at a team/place where they’re happy and feel valued.