​Ilkay Gundogan has praised Jurgen Klopp for the impact he has had in his career - but claims that Pep Guardiola's style of play suits him better.





The Manchester City footballer worked under Liverpool boss Klopp during the pair's time together with Borussia Dortmund, and stated that he kept in contact with his former manager now that the duo were based in the North West of England.





However, Gundogan revealed that Guardiola's footballing philosophy at the Etihad stadium was one that "perfectly" suited the 26-year-old following his summer move to the Premier League.

According to ​Give Me Sport, he said: “Jurgen and I don’t speak but exchange text messages sometimes. I had a great time in Dortmund and am very thankful because I learned a lot from him and his team, and wish him all the best.





"I enjoyed it in Dortmund. That year at Borussia Dortmund, which was a boost for every single player and for Jurgen as a manager, that we just handled it to go to the final.





"Now I enjoy it here. I love to have the ball, pass it to teammates and receive it back, so the type of football we play here suits me perfectly – I am very comfortable with that."

Having played under two of the hottest managerial prospects in world football, Gundogan is well placed to opine on whether a possession-based philosophy or fast paced, attacking football is the way to go - and the Germany international insisted that both ways could be successful in their own right.





He continued: “The similarities are that both are great character and great managers, successful as well, but they are maybe different in the type of football they want to play.





“Pep wants to have the ball, to dominate the game and [Klopp] wants you to run, to play with passion and fight for every ball. That shows us that both concepts can be very successful.”

The £20m summer signing had to wait until September 14 to make his City debut after suffering a fractured knee cap while with Dortmund towards the end of the last term.





However, since then Gundogan has enjoyed something of a goal glut for his new side - plundering five goals in 10 appearances, including four in his last two matches against West Brom and La Liga giants Barcelona.





Having now regained his full match fitness, Gundogan is eager to show his abilities even more, and vowed to become an even better player under the tutelage of Guardiola.

Ilkay Gundogan has been nominated for Premier League player of the month for October. pic.twitter.com/zSWKFkNTnc — City Chief ️ (@City_Chief) November 4, 2016

He added: "It's been a very nice week but it's not finished yet, but both games were very important. I have never scored that many before in three days.





"I am getting there. I wouldn't say I am 100 per cent – maybe by scoring, but not my performance! I feel more and more comfortable on the field with the guys and also in my role. Everything is improving week by week and so I just want to continue like that.





"I am enjoying being fit and healthy, and playing football."

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