Gündogan: "All the hard work has paid off"

Ilkay Gündogan completed his first game for Manchester City following his summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund. The German international was pleased overall with the 4-0 win in the opening Champions League group game. In an interview the midfielder spoke about his relationship with his new head coach Pep Guardiola and the curious case of the British weather.

Question: Ilkay, you weren’t in the starting eleven for the postponed game on Tuesday. What happened since then?

Ilkay Güdogan: It’s suprising isn’t it! David Silva picked up a light knock and then I was asked if I was ready to play. I said I felt good and it looks like I made a good decision even though I now feel pretty exhausted.

Question: You have been out injured for a few months and then return in the Champions League, winning 4-0 against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Not a bad comeback...

Gündogan : I’m very happy. I’m especially pleased that the hard work paid off from all of the frustrating rehab sessions that I had to carry out on my own. It’s a great feeling to once again be on the winning side and feel tired after a tough game, but also celebrating the win with the fans. We need that as players, it is like a drug.

Question: In his press conference Pep Guardiola was effusive in his praise of you. What is your relationship with the coach like?

Gündogan: Very good. His praise after my injury showed me that, for him, nothing has changed. He told me that I am still his desired player. As a footballer there is nothing better than to still have somebody who will stick by you even when you are injured. It shows a huge amount of trust which I want to repay. I think with learning a new language, being in a different country and playing with a new team, I can mature here as a person.

Question: What do you like the most about England?

Gündogan: I feel right at home here and the people are all very friendly. The level of football and the coaching staff were all decisive factors in my decision to look for a new challenge after seven or eight years in the Bundesliga. With Manchester City the perfect opportunity arose. It was definitely the right decision. I am really looking forward to the few weeks, months and years.

Question: Do you perhaps have a word or two to say about Tuesday’s strange weather?

Gündogan: You can rely on a lot of things in England, but the weather is definitely not one of those. That basically means: don’t get used to a lot sunshine because it rarely comes. I’m starting to work out what everyone was warning me about. In the course of a day you can see all four seasons, which is actually really cool and very funny. But I am sure I will be able to deal with it.

Question: Where will you end up this season? Under Guardiola you have already won seven competitive games in seven including a derby day win over Manchester United.

Gündogan: I am hoping that we can continue this great form. If we can develop further the way in which we play then the success of the team will look after itself.

Question: You knew Pep Guardiola from your time at Dortmund when he managed your rival club. Is he all that you had expected having seen him from a distance?

Gündogan: Without doubt my initial thoughts have been confirmed. He is one of the best coaches around. His style of football matches perfectly with my own and I am extremely happy to be able to play under him.

Question: You missed a big chance against Gladbach. Is Guardiola turning you into a goal scorer?

Gündogan: no! (laughs) Nobody will be able to pull that off. It wasn’t actually that bad given that the others were scoring and we got the win.