Monday 28 March 2016 11:44, UK
Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso thinks Pep Guardiola is "ahead of his time", but might take a while to implement his style at Manchester City.
Guardiola will leave the Allianz Arena this summer and replace Manuel Pellegrini at City.
While his possession-based style has proved effective at both Barcelona and Bayern, Spanish midfielder Alonso says the initial transformation is "not easy".
"Pep is ahead of his time," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "He is very demanding of himself and his players, but once you get to know it [the style], then it is the way we like to play.
"He likes the team to be in control of the game because he thinks that is the best way to win games. During his time here he has built something, a style of play, I think many players will have learnt a lot and improved and for sure those fundamentals will be very useful in the future as well."
Guardiola joined Bayern in 2013 and looks to be on course for a third straight Bundesliga title, with his side five points clear with seven games left to play.
He will be replaced at the club by Carlo Ancelotti, but Alonso says: "Nobody is thinking about next season, we are just thinking about the challenges we have right now.
"At the end we will have enough time to give him a proper farewell that he deserves. He will leave in the best manner, no doubt about it, and his time here will be a good one to remember."
