Ilkay Gundogan has shared his disappointment over the departure of Barcelona’s coach, Xavi, at the season’s end. The announcement came in January when Xavi revealed his plan to resign this summer.
Despite financial challenges, Barcelona has been strategic in their player acquisitions, focusing on free agents and promising young talent. Among their notable signings, Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City has been particularly significant. After leading Manchester City to a treble and receiving a new contract offer, Gundogan chose to join Barcelona, largely influenced by Xavi’s personal outreach.
Ilkay Gundogan upset by Xavi’s decision to leave at the end of the season
Gundogan remarked (via FCB World):
“Xavi was the reason I came to Barcelona. I’m sad to see him go because I think he’s a great coach with a strong personality. In the dressing room, we respect his decision and we have to play our best for him.”
This season, Gundogan has been a key figure for Barcelona, showing remarkable consistency and resilience. The 33-year-old midfielder has clocked in over 3,000 minutes of playtime, the highest in Xavi’s squad.
Not only has Gundogan been instrumental on the field, but he’s also excelled creatively, being the first to create 100 chances in the current season during a match against Getafe. His contributions include five goals and ten assists in 38 matches for Barcelona. The German has been influential in spite of making the move to a new country, and it will be interesting to see how things are when a new manager comes in next season.
