Pep Guardiola, the tactician behind Manchester City's success, is reportedly ruing the decision to allow Ilkay Gundogan to depart last summer, as the midfielder's absence continues to be felt at the Etihad Stadium.

Ilkay Gundogan, a stalwart at City for seven years, bid farewell to the club as a free agent, opting to join Barcelona ahead of the 2023/24 season on a two-year deal. His departure marked the end of an era, during which he amassed over 300 appearances for the Manchester outfit and played a pivotal role in their trophy-laden campaigns, including a memorable treble-winning season.

The German maestro's knack for delivering in crucial moments, marked by his title-clinching goal against Aston Villa in the 2021/22 season, earned him a revered status among City faithful and established him as one of the Premier League's most clutch performers.

Guardiola's side, while on track for Premier League and FA Cup glory this season, have been left to rue Gundogan's absence, particularly evident in their recent Champions League exit, where his influence was sorely missed.

Despite attempts to fill the void with signings like Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, neither have managed to replicate Gundogan's impact on the pitch.

However, while City struggle with Gundogan's departure, Barcelona are celebrating in the midfielder's presence. Under the stewardship of Xavi, Gundogan has seamlessly integrated into the Catalan side, emerging as a linchpin in their tactical setup.

With 47 appearances, five goals, and 12 assists to his name, Gundogan has been instrumental in Barcelona's resurgence, showcasing his versatility and leadership qualities on the field.

Xavi, impressed by Gundogan's mentality and experience, aims to nurture the younger talents within the squad, leveraging the veteran's influence to foster a winning mentality.