He changed his mind’ – Hansi Flick talks Ilkay Gundogan’s Barcelona exit

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has been talking about Ilkay Gundogan’s decision to leave the club after the midfielder returned to Manchester City.

Gundogan is back in the Premier League after just one season in Barcelona, with Flick having admitted previously he had spoken to the German about his future.

The Barca boss said after the win over Valencia that he thought Gundogan would stay and offered an update ahead of Saturday’s match with Athletic.

“I had this question after the game against Valencia. I said we had a conversation and I thought he was going to help us, but he changed his mind this week,” he told reporters.

“That happens. I know him as a player and as a person and I can only say good things about him. He was a fantastic player for Barça.”

Flick will now have to make changes to his XI after Gundogan’s departure. The German boss isn’t yet able to count on Dani Olmo but is hopeful he may be able to play against Athletic