Ilkay Gundogan Reveals Reason Why Man City Is Underperforming
Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions and European heavyweights, have long been admired for their tactical brilliance, relentless consistency, and winning mentality under Pep Guardiola. Yet in recent months, fans and pundits alike have noticed a dip in their dominant performances. Surprisingly, one of the club’s former stalwarts, Ilkay Gundogan, has now shed light on the underlying reasons for the team’s underperformance—and his insight carries significant weight.
Gundogan, now plying his trade at FC Barcelona, spent seven highly successful years at Manchester City. As a midfield maestro, he was instrumental in multiple title-winning campaigns and was widely regarded as one of Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants. His departure in the summer of 2023 was felt deeply at the Etihad Stadium, both in the dressing room and on the pitch. Now, speaking candidly in a recent interview, Gundogan offered an insider’s perspective on what may be causing the unexpected faltering of his former club.
Lack of Leadership and Mental Drive
One of the most striking revelations made by Gundogan is the notion that Manchester City may be lacking the “internal leadership” that once drove the squad from within. “When I was there,” Gundogan said, “we had players who would push each other every single day, even in training. It wasn’t just Pep barking orders—there were internal standards we all respected. I don’t know if that intensity is still there.”
According to Gundogan, leadership in a team is not just about captains or big names—it’s about accountability. When a club wins consistently, it becomes easy to lose the edge that made them great. “It’s natural,” he added. “After winning so much, the hunger has to be renewed. That doesn’t always happen automatically.”
His comments suggest that, despite City’s world-class squad and tactical prowess, the psychological element—the intrinsic hunger that fuels relentless success—may be diminishing slightly. It’s a subtle, intangible factor, but in elite football, it can make all the difference.
Midfield Transitions and the Gundogan Gap
Another major point Gundogan touched on was the evolution of Manchester City’s midfield. Since his departure, the club has struggled to find a like-for-like replacement who can match his unique ability to control tempo, make late runs into the box, and unlock tight defenses. Mateo Kovačić and Matheus Nunes have arrived to bolster the midfield, but neither has yet filled the void left by Gundogan’s departure.
“I was never the flashiest player,” he remarked modestly. “But I knew my role and executed it with precision. I think that balance in midfield is missing slightly now. Rodri is world-class, but he can’t do it alone.”
This lack of balance, Gundogan believes, is one of the reasons City are not dominating midfield battles the way they used to. Without that assured presence dictating rhythm and linking defense with attack, the side has occasionally looked disjointed and vulnerable in transition.
Tactical Adjustments and Predictability
Gundogan also hinted at a tactical shift that may have made Manchester City more predictable. Under Guardiola, City have always evolved tactically, keeping opponents guessing with innovative formations and fluid positioning. But with so much success using the inverted full-back system and the deep-lying playmaker, opposing teams may now be better prepared.
“When we were at our peak,” Gundogan said, “we constantly evolved. Now, I watch games and feel like opponents know what to expect. That edge—the surprise element—is crucial at the top level.”
His observation reflects a broader concern in modern football, where tactical ingenuity must be constantly refreshed. With several managers now adopting Guardiola-inspired blueprints, City’s once-novel systems may no longer provide the same cutting edge they once did.
Fatigue and the Toll of Success
Another factor highlighted by Gundogan is the physical and emotional toll of sustained success. Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign in 2022–23 was historic, but it was also grueling. The sheer number of high-stakes matches, the intensity of the schedule, and the pressure to maintain excellence inevitably lead to fatigue.
“It’s exhausting,” Gundogan admitted. “People don’t realize how hard it is to stay at the top. Every team wants to beat you. Every game is a final. At some point, fatigue catches up.”
This fatigue isn’t just physical. It seeps into decision-making, concentration, and even team chemistry. Gundogan believes that while City have enough depth to rotate players, the psychological wear-and-tear is harder to manage. “When your mind is tired, your body follows,” he said.
The Haaland Factor
Interestingly, Gundogan also addressed the impact of Erling Haaland. While acknowledging the striker’s extraordinary goal-scoring prowess, he hinted that City’s attacking rhythm may have shifted too much toward a single focal point. “Erling is phenomenal, no doubt. But City used to have five or six players who could score. Now, sometimes the play feels too centered around getting him the ball.”
This shift, Gundogan suggests, has made City slightly less fluid in the final third. The intricate passing triangles and positional rotations that once defined their play have occasionally given way to a more direct, Haaland-focused approach. While still effective, it may lack the unpredictability and versatility that made City nearly unplayable during their prime.
Guardiola’s Challenge
Despite these concerns, Gundogan expressed full faith in Pep Guardiola’s ability to address the issues. “If anyone can fix it, it’s Pep,” he said. “He lives and breathes football. He’ll find a way to evolve the team again.”
Still, Gundogan’s words serve as a reminder that even the best teams must constantly adapt and renew themselves. The margin between dominance and decline in elite football is razor-thin. While Manchester City remain formidable, Gundogan’s insights offer a sobering glimpse into the challenges of sustaining success at the very highest level.
Conclusion
Ilkay Gundogan’s reflections are more than just nostalgic musings from a former player—they are a thoughtful, experienced analysis of what makes a top-tier football club tick, and what can cause even the greatest to wobble. From internal leadership and midfield balance to tactical evolution and mental fatigue, the factors he outlines are nuanced but significant.
For Manchester City fans, his comments may serve as both a warning and a call to arms. The club has the talent, the manager, and the resources to bounce back—but it must confront the very real challenges that come with being at the summit of world football.
And as Gundogan himself knows all too well, staying at the top is often harder than getting there.
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Manchester City’s struggles this season have been a topic of discussion among fans and pundits alike. According to Ilkay Gundogan, the team’s midfielder, the root of the problem lies in a loss of desire and determination that once drove their success. Gundogan believes that City’s overemphasis on tactics has led to a lack of intensity and aggression on the pitch, which has ultimately affected their performance.
However, Gundogan pointed to City’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth as an example of the team’s potential when playing with the right mentality. In that match, City showed the kind of intensity and determination that Gundogan believes is necessary to succeed at the highest level. The win was a testament to the team’s ability to adapt and respond to challenging situations.
Ultimately, City’s fate will be determined by their ability to perform under pressure and show the kind of intensity and determination that has come to define their success in recent years. With the right mindset and a bit of luck, City
can still achieve a strong finish to the season and secure a top-five spot.
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