Ilkay Gundogan reveals he was unable to say goodbye to Man City in person, instead informing Pep Guardiola he was joining Barcelona in an ’emotional’ phone call

Ex-Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan has opened the lid on his departure at the end of last season, admitting he was unable to say goodbye to his former employers in person.

The German midfielder left the Etihad after winning a historic Treble, having spent seven years at City as Pep Guardiola’s first ever signing at the club.

He was quickly taken over by tight Barcelona on a free transfer, fending off interest from Arsenal, but there was a time when it looked likely he could stay at Manchester.

However, as Gundogan has since revealed, City were seemingly a little too slow to beat the Blaugrana – with the captain unable to even say goodbye in person.

“Unfortunately I didn’t say goodbye personally, because I only made the decision after the Champions League final, two days before the DFB game against Colombia,” he told German newspaper Bild.

The German midfielder came to Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of last season

“That was probably the hardest phone call I’ve ever had in my life. The conversation was emotional, but Pep was also happy for me.

“I moved to the club that was close to his heart and his youth so to speak – and as a fan he was very happy about that.

“He also said to me: if I need anything, I can always contact him. It was great to experience Pep as a coach. This will help me enormously in the years to come.’

But while Gundogan was full of praise for his manager, he revealed that his former club was too late to open negotiations in earnest.

The German’s contract expired at the end of the season, giving the Citizens plenty of opportunity to open discussions, but he claims negotiations have been slow to start.

“City waited a relatively long time for talks to really intensify,” he told German newspaper Bild.

“If this had happened a little earlier, the situation would have been different. So in the end it was the perfect ending, it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was also my childhood dream to play for FC Barcelona.

“I don’t want to go into details, but it was quite late in the season. And when it comes to a quarter-final or semi-final of the Champions League, players want to focus purely on the sport. I didn’t know what would happen next. I couldn’t plan anything.

Gundogan claimed Pep Guardiola’s “appreciation” was ever present throughout the process

The 32-year-old left City after winning a historic Treble that saw him clinch the Champions League as captain

Only Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva have played more games under Guardiola

Pep’s appreciation was always there, but officially there was no movement from the club for a long time. Until May there was little reason for me to want to change. The treble was of course a crowning achievement. But that couldn’t have been planned.’

As Gundogan said, Guardiola has always been outspoken in his preference for keeping his captain, who had long been a star for the Citizens.

Gündogan has made the third most appearances under the Spanish manager of all players with 304 appearances. Only Kevin de Bruyne (317) and Bernardo Silva (310) have performed under him more often than the German.

Since joining Barcelona, ​​Gundogan has drawn one draw and won three of his four games in LaLiga, assisting twice with Xavi’s side in third place behind Girona and league leaders Real Madrid.