Every word from Pep Guardiola’s Ipswich Town press conference | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Ipswich Town.

The Sky Blues welcome newly-promoted Ipswich Town to the Etihad Stadium in their first home match of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, with Guardiola’s side looking to secure a second successive victory after a 0-2 win at Chelsea last Sunday.

Manchester City started their title defence at Stamford Bridge with a comfortable victory, beating Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea 0-2, courtesy of goals from both Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic.

Ipswich Town suffered an opening weekend loss to Liverpool at Portman Road, and will face Manchester City for the first time since January 2002, with the Suffolk-based side having only previously played at Maine Road.

Guardiola’s side were unbeaten at home throughout the entirety of the last campaign, and Saturday’s clash could provide a home debut for summer signing Savinho, after the Brazilian’s move from ES Troyes.

Ilkay Gundogan could also mark his return this weekend, after the 33-year-old dramatically re-signed on a free transfer from Barcelona, penning an initial one-year contract in east Manchester.

The Manchester City manager addressed the media ahead of the clash at the City Football Academy on Friday afternoon, and here is every word from Guardiola’s pre-match press conference!

On Ilkay Gundogan’s return:

“When managers say anything can happen until the transfer window finishes, Ilkay Gundogan is the real proof. A complete surprise, unexpected, it happened and we know him quite well. Me personally, but the staff, the players, everyone, and the quality that he played last season in Barcelona was a high, high level, consistent, a lot of games.”

“We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility to re-sign him was open, and we’re absolutely delighted that he’s back!”

On Ilkay Gundogan’s role at Manchester City:

“Of course he’s not a teenager anymore. But the reason why we decided to take the chance to do it is for the level he played last season. Even in the Euros he played really, really good as well.”

“He knows what we have to do, he doesn’t need to adapt; he knows the city, he knows the club, he knows his teammates, the way we want to play. So he will be immediately settled good, and that’s why we did it!”

On whether it was an ‘easy yes’ to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan:

“Yeah. He has not come here to retire, or remember the good memories, now it’s time to get your shoes on, and play your best! The chance to come back to, if we would like it, and we said yes, immediately.”

“I love midfield players, I love Gundogan’s qualities, he gives an incredible alternative in the way we want to play, adapts to two or three roles perfectly. He doesn’t need time to settle. Tomorrow, if he has to play, OK, he knows everything!”

On whether Ilkay Gundogan will return to Manchester City’s leadership group:

“I don’t know, I don’t know.”

On Savinho’s fitness after an injury concern against Chelsea:

“I don’t think he’s completely, completely top. But he made part of training and he’s developing really well. We will see today or tomorrow, what we’re going to do with him.”

On Ipswich Town:

“I understand Ilkay [Gundogan] is the highlight of today, but since I sat down in this room, Ipswich Town is the only thing I’m concerned about.”

On how Manchester City is run:

“Manchester City is run by all the people, amazingly. Me as a manager, I think the players, they have everything that they need to perform at the highest level as possible – this is what the biggest clubs define. The titles of course, but how we behave daily.”

On whether he’d consider re-signing Raheem Sterling:

“He’s a Chelsea player, absolutely. I feel so attached to the time we lived together with Raheem, and Enzo. So I just wish him all the best, but he’s of course, a Chelsea player.”

On Manchester City making any more signings:

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. I don’t know what’s going to happen, maybe something happens in terms of injuries – hopefully not – or the market provides something unexpected that financially suits, or tactically. Right now I don’t think so.”

On Rodri’s fitness:

“He’s getting better. Maybe today he’ll make partial training, maybe. But still he’s not good. I don’t think so (for the weekend) but we’ll see today. We have training today at 3PM and we’ll see.”

On whether Ilkay Gundogan could play against Ipswich Town:

“If the international papers come through in time Gundogan could be involved tomorrow.”