Gundogan: How I made Klopp mad and drank wine with Pep

Ilkay Gundogan is a player that every managers likes. The German international made a name for himself in Borussia Dortmund, under Jurgen Klopp, who played him regularly and when Pep Guardiola took over Manchester City in 2016, one of his first signings was Gundogan. The German born Turk is a hard working, down to earth, calm footballer who executes on the pitch.

In a big interview for „The Players Tribune“, the Manchester City midfielder talked about his childhood, first football steps but also shared some interesting stories regarding his former and current coaches, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.

Klopp and his staff at Dortmund had a rule that a player had to report if he fills bad before a training session and go to the team doctor. One day, Gundogan didn’t report that he felt his hamstring, because he wasn’t sure if it was a muscle problem or just tiredness. So when he came to the training, the doctor looked at said that his muscle was a bit tight and that he has to report that to the coach.

(©Boris Streubel/Getty Images/Gallo)

„I waited a few minutes, and then Jurgen came in. He was not happy. He said, “What’s going on?” I said, “I just feel my hamstring a bit, but it’s O.K. I can train.” He said, “Why didn’t you text us? You know about the rule.” I said, “Yeah, but I’m fine, honestly.” I was trying to find a way out of it, even though I knew I was wrong. And then he snapped. You know when he gets these intense eyes and grits his teeth? He gave me that look and shouted, “DO WHATEVER THE F*** YOU WANT TO DO!” Then he slammed the door behind him.

And I was also angry at that point!! I’m usually very nice and calm, but the whole argument had me fired up. I was like, “Why is he reacting like this? What’s his problem?” About half an hour later, I put my boots on and walked onto the pitch. Jurgen came up next to me. I was expecting a lecture, but he put his arm around me. He said, “My friend, do you know why I was so angry? I just care about you. And I don’t want you to get injured.” Then he gave me a big hug.

I was shocked. We had this fight, and now he was talking to me the way a father might talk to his son. That showed me what kind of person he is: very emotional, of course, but also very open and honest. Jurgen taught me a lesson that day: Always try to be honest. Both with others and yourself“ remembered Gundogan.

City lift the League Cup!

After a few years, the midfielder wanted a new challenge and heard rumors that Pep Guardiola wanted him at Manchester City. He couldn’t believe his luck, in fact he had to ask him in person if he really wanted to sign him.

„I had loved his Barcelona team, which was for me the best club side ever. And every time I had played against Bayern, it had been so hard. You spend 90 minutes chasing the ball, and you don’t understand why. It’s like there’s a matrix there that you cannot see. Even when it became clear that City were going to sign me, I wanted to be assured about this. I remember going to meet Pep for the first time, I had this question that I wanted to ask him. I said, “Do you really want me? Like really really?“ Of course, I knew the answer. Why would he meet me in person if he didn’t want me?? But I just wanted to know. I needed to hear him say it“ explained Gundogan.

The player and his coach have a good understanding and the midfielder has been excellent this season. But more than trophies, he values the human side of it all. He shared another episode with the Spaniard.

„I remember one time, I was hanging out with a friend of mine when we remembered that it was Pep’s birthday. So my friend suggested that we give him a present. Pep is actually my neighbour here in Manchester, so we bought a bottle of champagne, my friend wrote him a card in Spanish, and then he went to knock on his door. When he came back, he said that Pep had been very happy about it. I went back to the cinema room and kind of forgot about it.

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About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door. My friend opened the door, and it was Pep! We were both really surprised, because Pep is such a private guy. We had seen him around in the elevator and stuff, but he had never been in my apartment. He had brought the champagne bottle and three glasses. He ended up staying for an hour or so, just to chill. It reminded me that, even though we play football, this profession is also about humans, you know? And I think that, when I end my career, what I will remember the most are the people I shared it with“ said Gundogan.