Ilkay Gundogan to be offered Manchester City return following Galatasaray career | OneFootball

Manchester City will reportedly be willing to hand Ilkay Gundogan a coaching role at the club when his playing career eventually comes to a close, it has been claimed.

Gundogan only recently finalised his departure from the Etihad Stadium, signing for Galatasaray on a free transfer after Manchester City accepted that it was the right time to move into a new chapter.

The midfielder’s exit came after months of uncertainty surrounding his position in Pep Guardiola’s evolving squad, with the club strengthening their midfield through the arrivals of Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders over the course of the year so far.

The 34-year-old left Manchester City with undoubted legendary status, having lifted multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and most memorably captaining the side to their historic treble in the 2022/23 campaign.

His influence extended beyond the pitch, with Ilkay Gundogan widely recognised as a respected leader and professional who embodied the culture Pep Guardiola fostered at the Etihad Stadium.

In recent weeks, Gundogan’s departure has remained a major talking point, particularly as Galatasaray pushed to register him for their UEFA Champions League squad before the deadline.

The former club captain penned an emotional farewell letter to Manchester City fans, thanking supporters and staff for their role in his success and underlining his admiration for Guardiola, whom he described as the best manager in the world.

But now, according to the information of GIVEMESPORT, Ilkay Gundogan is expected to return to Manchester City for a third spell, with discussions having already taken place surrounding a coaching role in future.

It is claimed that influential figures at City previously held talks about Gundogan shifting into coaching, and hierarchy members anticipate the German will return one more time becoming an asset if he joins as a member of their coaching staff further down the line.

Should Gundogan take up a position in the dugout, he would follow in the footsteps of several former Manchester City players who have transitioned into coaching roles within the wider City Football Group network, and among Europe’s elite clubs.

With his extensive knowledge of Pep Guardiola’s methods and his leadership qualities, he would be viewed as an ideal candidate to nurture the next generation of Manchester City players.

For supporters, the news adds another layer of comfort to Ilkay Gundogan’s farewell, knowing that his bond with the club is not severed but rather postponed until his playing days conclude.

It also raises intriguing questions about what role he could hold, whether integrated directly into Pep Guardiola’s backroom team, perhaps leading a youth development pathway within CFG before a potential rise back to the Etihad Stadium, or even making up part of the Catalan’s successors’ coaching structure – whoever that may be.

What remains clear is that Gundogan’s Manchester City story may be far from over. His future coaching return would not only honour his legacy but could also ensure that his deep understanding of the club’s philosophy continues to shape its successes in the years to come.