Ilkay Gundogan picks between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp as best manager

• Liverpool FC News
• Features
• Liverpool FC

Galatasaray midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will come up against Liverpool again next week and he has been asked about Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola — not for the first time

Ilkay Gundogan of Galatasaray.(Image: Orhan Cicek/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Former Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has picked between Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp and his old manager in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola.

A question that has been posed to the German international plenty of times throughout his career, Gundogan went with Guardiola, as that was the period of his life when he was performing at his peak, having worked under Klopp in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.

"I've probably been asked this question more often in interviews than 'How are you?' during my career," Gundogan told Frankfurter Allgemeine in an interview that comes less than a week before he faces Liverpool in the Champions League.

"Both are definitely world-class, but since I worked so closely with Pep during my long time at Man City and identified so strongly with him, I'll side with Pep here.

"However, what Klopp achieved in Germany and England was still an 11/10. It doesn't get any better than that!

"I have the utmost respect for any coach who has a clear vision and can communicate it. Pep Guardiola is the benchmark in this respect for me.

Galatasaray fans during their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase match against Liverpool FC last September(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images))

"To start my coaching career alongside him would be a dream. But who knows if Pep will still be active as a coach by then?"

Liverpool has already played Galatasaray this season, with the Reds losing 1-0 in Turkiye during the league phase in Europe. Victor Osimhen scored the only goal of the game on that occasion.

The first leg this time is away for Liverpool but there will be no visiting fans in the stadium for the Anfield tie a week later after UEFA issued a banning order.

The Turkish champion has confirmed that it plans to appeal the decision, which comes after ugly scenes in the play-off tie against Juventus last week.

UEFA's Appeals Body confirmed the sanctions were imposed following "throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks and crowd disturbances" by supporters in Turin during the Champions League second leg.

Reports in Italy claimed a man and his daughter were injured after fireworks were directed toward the Juventus fans, with Galatasaray supporters also clashing with the police.

Galatasaray has been fined €40,000 ($46,000/£35,000), but has confirmed that it plans to challenge the ruling. No outcome in its appeal has emerged of yet.