The immediate question on the minds of every Manchester City supporter is that who will be the club’s next captain following Gundogan’s departure.
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Manchester City players and supporters will be brimming with confidence after enjoying arguably their best ever season. The blue half of Manchester had a campaign to remember last time out, as they won a historic treble. Pep Guardiola’s side won the Premier League title and followed it up by getting their hands on the FA Cup trophy. Then they won the big thing – the Champions League crown.
They would be keen to build on that success but it will not be easy, especially with their captain Ilkay Gundogan leaving the club to join Spanish champions Barcelona. Manager Pep Guardiola only had words of praise for Gundogan after he left Manchester City following seven trophy-laden years. “What could I say – it was an incredible seven years together,” Guardiola, quoted by the club’s website, said ahead of their friendly against Bayern Munich.
“I don’t have the words to describe my gratitude to him. I wish him all the best in the challenge of his life. Barcelona have bought an incredible player, but this is life. Everyone has family challenges. We tried to convince him to stay, but we could not. We wish him all the best.”
Now the immediate question on the minds of every Manchester City supporter is that who will be the club’s next captain following Gundogan’s departure. Guardiola informed that he will speak with the four remaining captains, Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Rodrigo, and will fix a date for the squad vote. “[The vote will take place] When we come back to Manchester, so maybe 31st [July] when the squad will be definitive. I will speak with all the captains and they will decide one,” he elaborated.
Man City will be next playing Bayern Munich in a friendly, a team Guardiola is a lot familiar with. He spent three incredible years with Bayern as their manager from 2013-16. “When you have been in a place and they take care of you like they did me and my family, the city, the club, many things always you are happy to see old friends,” he explained.
“There are few players [left] but always it is nice, especially in friendly games and Champions League is different but it is an incredible test for us. Always in preseason it is best to face these kinds of teams. You see the reality of the position you’re in right now because we have the Community Shield around the corner, it’s really important. Always I am so happy to play against them.”
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