“Why I choose Guardiola over Klopp” — Ilkay Gundogan

Manchester City midfield maestro Ilkay Gundogan who’s been under the tactical tutelage of both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, has finally broken his silence on which of the two legendary bosses has had a greater influence on his career.

In an eye-opening revelation, Gundogan admitted that Pep’s philosophy has left a more lasting imprint, even though he thrived under Klopp’s heavy-metal football at Borussia Dortmund.

“It will also be the same with me if I coach. Pep will be a massive influence on how I want my teams to play,” the German international said.

Read More:

115 charges: How Manchester City dressing room is like now

Is Alisson Becker nearing the end of his Liverpool career?

Premier League Predictions for Matchday 5 Weekend

Despite enjoying remarkable success with both coaches, Gundogan didn’t hesitate to declare Guardiola as the major force behind his footballing evolution, especially after dominating with Manchester City. The German star’s comparison between Guardiola’s City and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal rivalry versus Klopp’s Liverpool offers fans a fresh perspective on how tactics can redefine football battles.

“It’s a bit different to the Liverpool rivalry,” Gundogan shared. “Arsenal play similarly to us, which wasn’t the case with Klopp’s Liverpool.” It’s no surprise, then, that Gundogan sees Pep’s influence extending far beyond his playing days, hinting that Guardiola’s tactical genius will guide his own coaching ambitions.

With Pep’s protégés like Arteta and Maresca already following in his footsteps, Gundogan’s preference for Guardiola over Klopp offers a glimpse into why City’s footballing dominance might have changed the Premier League’s DNA for years to come.