Ilkay Gundogan admits the siren call of coaching is ringing in his ears but he’s not quite ready to hang up his boots.
Much to Pep Guardiola’s delight, the decorated Manchester City midfielder has returned to top form in the closing weeks of the Premier League champions' troubled campaign.
And in the process he has earned himself an extra year at the Etihad Stadium – should he choose to exercise it.
With fellow ‘captains’ and team cornerstones Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker seemingly certain to depart in the summer, Guardiola will need an on-the-field coach and a wise head in the dressing room for his summer rebuild. Gundogan fits the bill perfectly.
The 34-year-old German international has more than 600 appearances under his belt, the vast majority of them in the English, German and Spanish top divisions. He has 82 caps for this country, has appeared at three European championships, two World Cups and won six league titles and a Champions League during a stellar career.
But resting on those considerable achievements is not on his mind as he admits there is plenty of unfinished business to take care of at City before he makes any decisions about what his long term future looks like.
The treble winning captain’s focus is on clinching a top five berth in the Premier League and lifting the FA Cup for a third time – he has a happy history at Wembley having scored the quickest goal in FA Cup final history with his 12 second strike against Manchester United in the 2023 decider.
“The current battle we are in is the same as when we were fighting with Liverpool and Arsenal for the title,” Gundogan told The National. “We just have to focus on the way we perform and the standards we set ourselves.
“We have a target to qualify for the UCL next season and to do that we have to perform at the highest level and win matches.
“We know our own capabilities and we know what the team is capable of, and for the majority of this season we have been below those expectations. We have to see the reality of our situation and just try to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.
“It’s not just about talent at this point, it is about character and behaviour. It is about how you behave not just in games but on the training pitch and outside the field. It is about how hard you work to get that decisive bit of luck to go your way.
“Since the international break we have done OK. We showed character to win games at Bournemouth and again against Palace when we were 2-0 down.
“I feel like we just need to maintain these standards and I am certain we will qualify for the Champions League next season and we will also have a chance to win the FA Cup.”
Gundogan’s recent upturn has seen him start the last five matches in succession, and of the outfield players only Josko Gvardiol has played more minutes this season.
“The Gundo here and the Gundo at Bournemouth, Leicester – that’s the Gundo I remember,” reflected Guardiola after the 5-2 defeat of Palace. “The one that helped us win the treble and was such an important player. His defensive intelligence, the way he arrives, it helps us massively. As a team, everyone has been down and below their best. But when a team plays good, the individual levels rise.”
Guardiola will be hoping Gundogan can maintain that level throughout the remainder of the season and in the early part of the summer when they travel to the United States to defend their Club World Cup crown.
After that, who knows. Gundogan will play as long as possible, but at some point wants to emulate Guardiola.
I can see myself coaching in the future and I love football way too much to stay out of it once my playing career is over
Ilkay Gundogan
It’s not fanciful to imagine the German sliding into the Catalan’s coaching set up when he’s done. Gundogan already has his coaching B licence and admits that side of the game has a lure for him.
“I want to continue coaching and I want to progress in that field but it is something that isn’t possible right now because of playing,” he said. “I have the B licence and next I have to do the A licence and then the Pro. I have previously worked with City’s under 16s and I really enjoyed it. I have worked under some amazing coaches and they inspire you.
“I have had the privilege of working with Pep for several years, it is automatically something I think about and consider for the future. When I look at Pep I see a man with a lot of ideas who tries to take care of every little detail of the game. A man dedicated to finding solutions, who questions himself and everything.
“In terms of character I am similar. I question myself a lot and always try to see what I can personally do better not just for me but the team and the whole club in general.
“Being part of City for so many years I can see myself coaching in the future and of course I love football way too much to stay out of it once my playing career is over.
“I always tell myself I could become a really good coach if I have the guts to do it and the energy and stamina to go for it in the long run. But I know also that it is a lot of work when I see Pep and our coaching staff and the working hours they put in. It is much more than a player. It’s a workload you need to accept and be comfortable with.
“I took the first steps to see if it was something that would interest me and so far it has.”
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
More coverage from the Future Forum
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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