Manchester City and Pep Guardiola hold ‘regret’ and ‘annoyance’ over major transfer decision from summer 2023 | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola is reportedly ‘missing’ the impact both on and off the field of former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan, according to reports from Spain.

The Germany international brought an end to an illustrious time with Manchester City having closed off his spell in the Premier League with a historic Treble, adding to their top-flight crown with a UEFA Champions League and FA Cup success.

Unfortunately for Manchester City, no transfer fee was earned from the departure of Gundogan to Barcelona due to his contract expiring after the showpiece final in Istanbul. However, that was not without decisions having been made by the Premier League side.

Despite Manchester City going on to recruit twice in the subsequent summer transfer window in midfield, bringing in Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes from Chelsea and Wolves respectively, a new report has detailed a feeling of ‘regret’ from within the Etihad Stadium.

That is according to the information of Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, who claim that manager Pep Guardiola ‘misses’ Ilkay Gundogan’s presence and impact both on and off the pitch for Manchester City.

That feeling of an error having been made by Manchester City is also shared by the wider club, with the report going on to claim that those in decision-making positions also have ‘regrets’ and are ‘annoyed’ after being slow in their efforts to renew Gundogan’s contract.

Despite the feeling of an error perhaps having been made in the last summer transfer window, the signing of Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic has certainly proven it’s worth since the turn of the year for Manchester City.

The 29-year-old has registered 41 appearances across all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side so far this season, scoring three goals and providing an assist in the process, but more often than not being turned to by his coach for more control in matches.

As for Matheus Nunes, the Portugal international is in the process of acclimatising to life at City, and while there is a belief that it could be a case of first season woes under Guardiola, an intent to recruit heavily in midfield this summer could throw his future into jeopardy.