David Alaba: My game reached new heights under Guardiola

Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2018 by squawka.com

Bayern Munich midfielder David Alaba has revealed that Pep Guardiola made him a better player.

The Austrian international is one of many players to credit the Spanish coach for helping him improve his game and he is unlikely to be the last.

After a difficult first season in the Premier League, Guardiola's Manchester City swept away all in their path as they romped to the title in 2017/18.

Players like Kevin De Bruyne, who struggled under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, flourished last season while under Guardiola's tutelage.

Alaba is preparing for another season at Bayern despite speculation he may leave and he has heaped praise on his former coach.

Guardiola's time with the German side was a huge success with Bayern dominating domestically winning three straight Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal twice. Despite failing to secure a Champions League trophy Alaba was in no doubt that Guardiola helped improve him as a player.

"First of all, he meant a lot to me," the Bayern defender told AS.

"He took me to another level. Under him, I knew I could play a lot of positions. He is one of the best coaches in the world, if not maybe the best from what I have seen. He bought a new style, not only in our team.

"We learned a lot about football and the style we played was great. We didn't win the Champions League but we were very unlucky in that period. But the style we played was great."

The Austrian international is also not surprised with the success Guardiola has had in England with Manchester City.

"He's doing a great job, winning the title in England in a really good way," he continued. "You can see the work that he's done over there."

Alaba could come up against Guardiola as Bayern prepare for a pre-season tour in the US where they face City in the International Cup on 29 July.