Gianluigi Donnarumma says he enjoyed a good rapport with Luis Enrique despite the Paris Saint-Germain manager’s decision to dispense with his services.
The Italy captain played a prominent role in the Ligue 1 club’s Champions League triumph last season, and there was widespread surprise last month when Luis Enrique declared he wanted a “different profile” of goalkeeper.
Donnarumma said at the time he was “disappointed and disheartened” at being discarded in favour of Lucas Chevalier, who was brought in from Lille to replace him, but the 26-year-old maintained a diplomatic stance as he faced the media for the first time since completing a £26m move to Manchester City on Monday.
‘Am I disappointed? I don’t know. Everyone makes their own choices’
“I’ve always had an excellent relationship with the coach,” said Donnarumma ahead of Italy’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel. “He was direct with me from the very first days of [pre-season] training camp.
“Am I disappointed? I don’t know. Everyone makes their own choices. The coach has the power to decide, but having the support of everyone, especially my teammates, made me realise what I had given to PSG, and I think that’s the most important thing.
“Beyond football, these are the things that remain; knowing the affection of everyone at PSG, of my team-mates, makes me proud about what I left behind.”
‘When you are wanted so strongly by a club like City it means you’ve worked well’
The depth of that bond was laid bare when Donnarumma, excluded from PSG’s matchday squad, appeared to bid the Parc des Princes faithful an emotional farewell after the club’s season opener against Angers. Ten days later and to his evident glee, he became a City player.
“When you are wanted so strongly by a club like City it means you’ve worked well, and being wanted by one of the strongest coaches in the world like [Pep] Guardiola is an indescribable emotion,” said Donnarumma, who also played down fears that he may struggle to adapt to his new manager’s preference for playing out from the back.
“I always try to help the team and do what the coach asks of me,” the Italian added. “You can always improve in everything, but regarding what the coach asks of me, I try to improve. I’m sure that with Guardiola we’ll do a great job.”
