Gundogan urges City fans not to compare Guardiola's successor to the outgoing Spaniard

Ilkay Gundogan has urged Manchester City fans not to compare Pep Guardiola’s successor to the outgoing manager, arguing that no replacement can or should be measured against a coach who delivered 20 trophies — including six Premier League titles and the 2023 Treble — during a decade at the Etihad.

Enzo Maresca, sacked by Chelsea at the start of 2026, is the frontrunner to take the job and is expected to agree an initial three-year deal after holding talks with club officials.

“I think the most difficult thing is not to try to compare too much,” Gundogan said. “Every manager has his small little details. They are different as human beings. They like other things than other people like, so just accept it, try to get to where that comes in, welcome with open arms.”

The Germany midfielder, who won 14 major trophies under Guardiola, added that he was confident the club would make the right appointment. “I think the club is very good and very smart in kind of taking the right decisions, so I’m sure that the new person coming back in here will be also very successful.”

Gundogan also offered a candid glimpse into his relationship with Guardiola, recalling heated exchanges on the training pitch that would later dissolve over a glass of wine or champagne — the two men having lived next door to each other in Manchester city centre.

“There are so many memories, to be honest — where I got into fights with him on the training pitch,” Gundogan said. “We still talk about one situation that happened in training when he was still here. Pep was saying something and I screamed back at him, but he was actually saying something nice to me and I lost my head. He was laughing about the whole situation.”

Despite those flashpoints, Gundogan was effusive about Guardiola the person. “I really appreciate him as a man. As a manager we don’t need to talk about him — everyone loves it — but as a human being, for me, he’s an amazing human being.”