Gianluigi Donnarumma said that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s interest in the goalkeeper motivated him to sign with the club.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, ahead of the club’s opening UEFA Champions League 2025-26 clash against Napoli, Donnarumma said that he looking forward to achieving a lot with the Spanish manager.
“Before summer, I knew City were very interested in me. The relationship strengthened after the Club World Cup. I knew the coach was pushing for my arrival, and it spurred me on,” he said.
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The Italian said that he will look to improve his ball-playing ability with help from the manager.
“I always try to improve, and I am with a coach who is the best in these situations – he will help me and we can do lots together,” Donnarumma said.
Regarding his skill with his feet, he said, “You have to sniff out danger and read certain moments in a match: there are moments you can play and moments where it is better to kick it long, especially if you have a difficult situation in a final.”
After a solid debut for the club in the Manchester Derby on Sunday, Donnarumma now shifts his focus to the UCL, which he won with Paris Saint-Germain last season.
The match will also mark the return of City legend Kevin De Bruyne to the Etihad Stadium for the first time after leaving at the end of last season.
Published on Sep 18, 2025