Guardiola wants Gundogan to stay at Man City

Published on: 03 June 2023

Pep Guardiola hopes the postscript to a historic season for Manchester City will be Ilkay Gundogan signing a new contract.

The midfielder, whose present deal at the club expires this summer, scored two as City beat Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley to win the FA Cup.

Next Saturday's Champions League final against Inter Milan could be the 32-year-old's final City appearance.

"He knows what I think," said Sky Blues boss Guardiola.

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"(Football director) Txiki (Begiristain) is working on it. Hopefully he can be successful."

Guardiola and Gundogan, who live in the same Manchester city centre apartment block, have built a close friendship.

And Guardiola has not made any secret of his desire for Gundogan - one of his first signings as City boss in 2016 - to stay.

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The pair have now shared in 11 trophy triumphs and Gundogan's influence is growing on and off the pitch after he was voted new club captain by his team-mates following Fernandinho's exit last summer.

Gundogan, from Germany, scored two of the three goals that completed the title-winning comeback against Aston Villa on the final day of last season and he is now the fastest ever scorer in FA Cup final history, thanks to his 13-second thunderbolt against Manchester United.

"We are neighbours," said Guardiola. "We live in the same floor for many years so he is a close friend of mine.

"He plays exceptionally well. I don't forget him scoring those goals against Aston Villa.

"Hopefully, we can finish in a good way."

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Source: bbc.com

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