Manchester City’s squad are currently enjoying a well-deserved break.
The 24/25 campaign was a long and tough one for Pep Guardiola’s men, and it has resulted in many changes occurring at the Manchester club ahead of the new season, as four new stars have been signed, while Pepijn Lijnders and James French have been recruited to the coaching staff.
The changes are not expected to stop there, as over the coming weeks, the Premier League club will be working on outgoings, and Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move away from Man City over recent weeks.
The 34-year-old remains a key member of Guardiola’s dressing room, but something may have to give if the Spaniard wants to see his squad decrease in numbers ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Ilkay Gundogan playing for Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Ilkay Gundogan has started working with a nutritionist
Galatasaray are one club showing an interest in Gundogan, and that is certainly a move that will appeal to the midfielder as the German supported the Turkish team as a boy.
However, The Athletic reports that despite Gundogan being open to playing in Istanbul one day, the 34-year-old believes he can still perform at the very top level for many more years to come and plans to see out his contract at Man City.
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In an attempt to extend the longevity of his career, the report also reveals that Gundogan started working with a nutritionist towards the end of 2024.
The midfielder also has a personal chef who plans every meal for him, which even occurred during the short break between the end of the season and the FIFA Club World Cup, while he has also completely cut sugar out of his diet.
This will certainly impress Guardiola, who will not want to see the veteran star leave this summer, having worked hard to bring him back to Manchester a year ago.
Gundogan remains a vital part of the Man City dressing room, while also being very versatile and a big threat in the opposition box.
The 2025/26 season is very likely to be the German star’s last at the Etihad Stadium, but what he does after that remains unknown.
Pep Guardiola during Manchester United v Manchester City.
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Man City keen to offer Ilkay Gundogan a coaching role
Gundogan is likely to join Galatasaray ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, but once his spell in Turkey has concluded, the 34-year-old looks set to head into coaching.
Leroy Sane previously stated that he could see Gundogan becoming a manager, and according to The Athletic, Man City are monitoring his situation, having already spoken to him about becoming Guardiola’s assistant when he retires.
Gundogan already has his UEFA B Coaching License in Germany and will go for his A License once he becomes an assistant coach in the future.
The midfielder’s football brain is unlike anyone else’s in the current Man City squad, which is why it is key that the 34-year-old is kept around for another season as Guardiola looks for ways to take the Manchester club back to the top of the Premier League.