‘Wow!’, ‘Gundo actually won us the treble’ – Man City fans react as Gundogan credited with tactical masterplan behind club’s treble success

Manchester City fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relays a report that credit Ilkay Gundogan for the tactical change mid-season that contributed to the club’s historic treble success.

The Germany international midfielder brought an end to his seven-year stay at the Etihad Stadium on Monday morning, finalising a free transfer move to FC Barcelona upon the expiry of his Manchester City contract this week.

Gundogan’s final season with the club created history both in English football, and for City as an organisation, as he and his teammates won a historic treble of silverware capped off with their first ever UEFA Champions League triumph.

While the performances on the pitch were nothing short of sensational from Pep Guardiola’s players, many onlookers and supporters were keen to credit one particular tactical change from the Catalan coach shortly after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last December.

On many occassions, City would operate in a 3-2-4-1 formation with two defensive midfielders lying in front of a back-three, with one of those often being an inverted full-back, or the presence of John Stones away from his natural central defensive role.

In a new report, it has emerged that this system was first implemented by one of Manchester City’s younger age groups in the Academy set-up, and offered to Pep Guardiola by Ilkay Gundogan – who is known to be keen on taking up a coaching role later in his football career.

According to an in-depth report from Training Ground Guru, Manchester City have seen a transfer of ideas between Academy and first team – in both directions.

Most recently, it is revealed that Ilkay Gundogan worked with Darren Hughes’ Manchester City under-16s squad early last year, as the Germany international was in the process of undertaking his coaching badges.

One tactical ploy the under-16s were using was playing a centre-back in central midfield when in possession, which was not part of the wider Manchester City club methodology at that time. Ilkay Gundogan is claimed to have fed this information back to Pep Guardiola.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

@markusmcfc: “Wait so Gundo gave us the formula that won the treble? nah this loss could be bigger than we originally thought..”

@ogunnaiketimot1: “This explains why Stones partnered Rodri in the middle of the park right at the end of the season.”

@Kipnget61678739: “Wow! Gundogan is a future masterclass performer in management”

@jamesw1876: “Gundo actually won us the treble”

@SxperSILVA: “He deserve a statue.”

@LifeOfNapaul: “He will be a very successful gaffer in the future, it’s visible.”

@DazzlingDias4: “Would love him to be our arteta when pep leaves.”