Man City manager Pep Guardiola clarifies: Ilkay Gundogan is not looking to retire

LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his delight at having Ilkay Gundogan back in his team and dismissed any notions that the 33-year-old midfielder has returned to the club to retire.

On Aug 23, the English Premier League champions announced that they have re-signed their former captain on a one-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months.

The German, who retired from international football earlier in the week, left City for Barcelona in 2023 on a free transfer after leading Guardiola’s team to the treble.

He could be available for the match against newly promoted Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium on Aug 24.

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

“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.

“He has not come here to retire, or remember the good memories. It’s time to get your shoes on, and play your best!”

It remains to be seen if Gundogan will feature against Ipswich, who are an unfamiliar opponent.

The last time the two teams met, in January 2002 in the FA Cup, City were playing in the second tier while the Tractor Boys were competing in the top flight. The former won 4-1 at Portman Road, however.

Fast forward 22 years, City are now bidding for a record-extending fifth Premier League crown in a row, and their opponents are the new kids on the block.

Guardiola’s side began with a 2-0 win over Chelsea last weekend, while Ipswich lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool.

The win over the Blues meant that City were the first team in Premier League history to win 10 straight matches by two goals or more, which included their final nine victories from last season.

They are overwhelming favourites for the clash, especially playing at home. The final fixture of last season, a 3-1 win over West Ham at the Etihad which clinched the title, extended their unbeaten home league run to 30 matches.

Guardiola could once again be without injured star midfielder Rodri.

Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich will aim to do better than last week when they fell apart to two quick second-half goals.

“It’s about the next challenge, and we’ve got probably the toughest game in world football ahead of us,” he said.

“The big goal is to get points but underneath that it’s about coming out of this weekend stronger and we use it as a way to fast-track our adjustment to the league.”