Ilkay Gundogan had the chance to reunite with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in 2016 but felt he needed a new challenge without the German manager.
Instead, Gundogan signed for Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund and has gone on to win two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups under Pep Guardiola.
Klopp signed the midfielder for Dortmund in 2011 for just €4 million (£3.3m) and they went on to win the Bundesliga together the following season and reach the Champions League final in 2013.
When Klopp moved to Anfield in 2015 he was interested in bringing Gundogan to Merseyside the following season, but despite their good relationship, the boss was what put Gundogan off a switch to Liverpool.
Having spent four years working with his compatriot, the Germany international fancied a change and linking up with Guardiola at the Etihad was the perfect opportunity.
‘I believe in challenges in life and I always try to challenge myself first of all,’ Gundogan told FantasyPL. ‘I feel like if I don’t challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone, I’m not going to change anything and won’t improve.
‘So I had a great four years with Jurgen and I love him as a person and a manager but I felt it was time for something else.
‘I wanted to leave Dortmund in Dortmund and didn’t want to think about the time I had with him when I was joining a new club. That was a bit of the reason why I didn’t want to join Liverpool.’
Clearly enjoying life at City, Gundogan signed a contract extension at the club last summer which keeps him at the Etihad until 2023.
While not always a guaranteed starter, the 29-year-old was Guardiola’s first signing at the club and has become an integral part of their success, starting 15 Premier League games this season and all six Champions League contests.
Gundogan was asked to compare Klopp and Guardiola last year, as one of the few players that has played under both, and decided the Liverpool boss is the more frightening of the two.
‘There are the two coaches who stand for the two different styles that are currently on the market,’ Gundogan told Süddeutsche Zeitung, via Sport Witness.
‘They live full intensity, are incredibly demanding; you can not switch off for a second in training. Otherwise, there’s a b******ing.
‘You may be a little bit more scared of Klopp because he’s so big and loud and shows so many teeth.’
MORE: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ready to trigger Timo Werner’s £50m release clause
