Gareth Bale backs Pep Guardiola to revive Manchester City
Thursday 5 May 2016 23:24, UK
Gareth Bale expects "world-class" Pep Guardiola to make Manchester City a more streetwise force in Europe.
City were unable to lay a glove on Real as they lost 1-0 in the Bernabeu on Wednesday to bow out of the Champions League by the same aggregate scoreline at the semi-final stage.
The Madrid game proved to be Manuel Pellegrini's last in the competition as City manager, and the task of leading a renewed challenge will next season fall to Guardiola - provided a top-four finish is secured in the next 10 days.
Guardiola made his name at Real's fierce rivals Barcelona and was also a loser in Europe this week with Bayern Munich, but that did not stop Bale predicting a bright future for City under the Catalan.
"I'm sure he will [improve City]," the world's most expensive player said. "He's a world-class coach, he's done well wherever he's gone.
"I think experience probably told a lot here and over the two legs. We had a lot of experience of being in the semi-finals and we did a very professional job.
"I think it's difficult as it's a new occasion to them. They haven't been in this position before and it's never easy in these games. We limited them. The reason they didn't have chances is because we did such a good job on them."
Bale can now look forward to a second Champions League final against city rivals Atletico in three seasons, followed by a trip to France for Wales' Euro 2016 campaign.
He said: "It's going to be a very difficult game again, we know that, but it's one we're looking forward to. It would be amazing to win any trophy, it would be great, but especially so before a major tournament."
