Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has praised the impact his former manager Pep Guardiola has already made at Manchester City.

Guardiola left the Bundesliga club to link-up with the Citizens at the end of last season and has led the Sky Blues to a remarkable 10 straight victories in his opening 10 fixtures with the side.

Alonso has a lot of experience with Guardiola’s methods having been a key component of the Spaniard’s side in Germany and the midfielder believes the side have already profited greatly under Guardiola’s tutelage.

‘Pep has a natural talent to understand football and to then transform that understanding on to his players,’ Alonso told Marca. ‘He likes to have the ball and for his players to show courage and you can just feel this.
‘What he has done at Manchester City over the past two months is amazing. The desire his players have to prove themselves to the fans and the coach is the result of Pep’s work. He is very demanding and methodical.’

Alonso explained that Guardiola’s departure from Bayern had been emotional for the side’s players.

‘That [laeving] just went to show what he meant for Bayern and achieved here. His time at Bayern was a success and everybody is very grateful,’ Alonso concluded.

City are next in action when they face Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The match will live from 20:45 at Celtic Park.