Former national team captain Ilkay Gündogan spoke to the weekly magazine “Die Zeit” about his experiences with Jürgen Klopp during their time together at Borussia Dortmund. Recalling a tense incident, Gündogan recounted how Klopp reacted aggressively when he was late arriving at the training pitch to go to the physical therapist. “Jürgen once chased me, yelled at me, and slammed the door,” the former captain shared.
However, Gündogan emphasized that Klopp quickly returned to a more measured state. He added, “Half an hour later, he hugged me and explained why he had been so strict. Then he apologized. Honestly, he was right.” Gündogan stated that the players accepted his impulsive nature, praising him as a unique figure: “He is honest, direct, and likable. No coach is as authentic as him.”
Despite the disappointing start of Klopp as the national team coach, Gündogan remains supportive. “I am still glad that Jürgen is the national coach,” he said, noting that Klopp has successfully elevated both Liverpool and Dortmund to title contention. Nevertheless, Gündogan cautioned that the road ahead will be difficult for the players. He acknowledged that Germany is currently less talented than international competition, pointing out that “Spain, France, or England are better stocked. That is reality, but it can’t be an excuse for being eliminated before the round of 16 in major tournaments.”
The former player also voiced strong criticism regarding how younger professionals handle social media. He pointed out that some players habitually searched their own names during halftime. “Some people value public approval more than the approval of their coach or their teammates. That can be very dangerous,” Gündogan warned, suggesting that social media activity is accelerating individualism within football.
Looking ahead, Gündogan plans to move into coaching after retiring from playing. “Yes, I would like to work as a coach. I have seen what coaches can achieve,” he explained. He credited his former mentor, Pep Guardiola, with inspiring this ambition. “Ultimately, my former coach Pep Guardiola planted the idea in me. In his role, I realized my future,” Gündogan told “Die Zeit”.
