Gundogan stated in an interview with La Repubblica that he will continue to play as long as he feels the passion for football, and hopes to become a coach after retirement.

Gundogan, do you feel like you are approaching the end of your career?

"As long as I still feel that excitement, I will continue to play. I still feel it now, and very strongly. But indeed, recently I've been thinking a lot about what comes next."

How has football changed over these 20 years?

Gundogan said: "There are some changes I don't like. For example, sometimes I feel people forget that this is a team sport."

Who forgets this?

"Everyone. Players, coaches, media—the whole world worships individualism. You'll find that scoring goals seems more important than anything else, and social media is accelerating this trend."

Do some of your colleagues really check their own stats at halftime?

"Unfortunately, yes. It's dangerous when praise from fans becomes more important than the evaluation of the coach and teammates."

Will you become a coach after your career ends?

"That is my goal."

Why are you willing to take on that kind of pressure?

"It might sound like a cliché, but I truly have a sense of responsibility. Even as a player, I always paid attention to my teammates. Recently, I started noting what I hope to inherit from coaches and what I'd rather avoid. It was Guardiola who planted this seed in my mind—not just for me, but for other players under him as well. I see my future in him."

Is Guardiola very talented but not particularly focused on interpersonal relationships?

"No. I've always found Pep to be very honest and perceptive. His demands are indeed very high, and I constantly have to improve myself. But for me, it all makes sense. Pep shaped all of us. On one hand, Manchester City relies on internal competition, and on the other hand, we players genuinely want each other to succeed. That's also thanks to him."

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