- Ilkay Gundogan left Man City last summer
- Returned for farewell fixture on Sunday
- Midfielder could return one day as coach
Ilkay Gundogan is open to a third spell at Manchester City, but this time it would not be as a player.
Man City left such an impact on Ilkay Gundogan that he returned for a second time, after initially leaving the club in 2023.
There were no major successes to report during this brief stint, but his first seven years at City were very memorable.
The German captained the Citizens to a Champions League triumph, and lifted five Premier League trophies.
And he clearly still holds the club close to his heart, returning to the Etihad Stadium last Sunday for the farewell match of Pep Guardiola, John Stones and Bernardo Silva.
Ilkay Gundogan hints at Man City return
It seems Gundogan already has plans to make a permanent move back to Man City, only this time in a coaching capacity.
The midfielder has been working towards his coaching badges, and it seems the Sky Blues are the only team on his mind.
He told Manchester Evening News: “We were joking around a little, with my wife as well as with people in Man City [about coming back as a coach]. Of course, there’s a chance.
“Obviously, it depends a little on my decisions, my drive, in terms of how I want to evolve after finishing or pursuing my active career.”
Despite Gundogan’s desire to take up a coaching role, the Galatasaray star still believes he has something to offer as a player at 35 years old.
“I feel I have still a couple of really good years. I’d like to play a little more because I’m still enjoying it,” he continued.
“But obviously long-term, everyone knows it’s not a secret I started doing my coaching badges and tried to see in which kind of direction I’d like to go after my career.
“There’s definitely potential, 100%. I mean, Man City has given me as a player everything I wanted. So why not try it also in a different role?”
Gundogan could reunite with Vincent Kompany at Man City
To become a coach at Man City, Ilkay Gundogan needs to be brought in by the club. This is much more likely to happen if one of his former teammates is the manager.
Enzo Maresca is the favourite to succeed Pep Guardiola, but he is only set to sign a three-year deal with the Citizens.
So unless the Italian does a really good job and decides to stay for longer, he will likely be replaced in a few years’ time.
Kompany would be a fan favourite to return, considering he has overseen a successful season at Bayern Munich.
And if the ex-City defender were to take on the role of manager, he could look to bring in Gundogan as a member of his coaching staff.
City fans would love a Gundogan return
If this past week has taught us anything, it is that Man City supporters love and appreciate their former players.
Indeed, many former Citizens were present at the Co-op Live afterparty on Monday night, with some even lifting trophies they had won during their time at the club.
The reception they received was absolutely tremendous, and showed just how special the culture is at City.
If Gundogan came back, he would be welcomed with open arms, and having another former player as the manager would be an added bonus.
