‘Changed his mind’ – Hansi Flick explains İlkay Gündoğan’s Barcelona departure | OneFootball

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has on Friday provided an insight into the reasoning behind İlkay Gündoğan’s departure from the club.

This, of course, comes after official confirmation of as much was finally forthcoming earlier in the day.

The name of midfielder Gündoğan has of course dominated the headlines across all of Europe over the course of the week to date.

This comes after word was forthcoming that the Barcelona brass had come to the decision to move the German international on with a view to the transfer deadline.

Gündoğan, in turn, went on to open negotiations over a return to former club Manchester City, talks which officially bore fruit on Friday afternoon.

Speaking during an ensuing press conference ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga meeting with Athletic Club this weekend, it therefore came as little surprise when the name of his now-former midfielder was quickly put to the aforementioned Hansi Flick.

Specifically, the German tactician was asked about the reasons for Gündogan’s exit.

And Flick, in his response, all but confirmed that the 33-year-old did Barcelona a favour, in agreeing to terminate his contract to ease the club’s financial concerns:

“Gündogan? He’s an amazing person. He told us that he wants to help the club and this is way he changed his mind and left.”

Conor Laird | GSFN