Upbeat Alaba praises Guardiola

David Alaba has given credit to new Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola for his management of the squad since taking over at the Allianz Arena.

Guardiola was announced as Jupp Heynckes successor back in January, and assumed control in June after being formally unveiled by the club’s hierarchy.

The former Barcelona boss has a hard act to follow after Heynckes guided Bayern to a historic treble last season, the Bavarian outfit becoming the first German side to win the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League in a single campaign.

However, Austrian international Alaba has been quick to praise Guardiola for his treatment of the players.

“I’m feeling positive,” Alaba said.

“The first encounter (with Guardiola) was very friendly … as you can see during training he is managing us players well.”

Alaba joined Bayern in 2008 as a 16-year-old, and has since blossomed into one of the brightest young talents in the European game.

The 21-year-old, who can operate in defence and in midfield, was eager to pay tribute for his rapid rise to older team-mates Philipp Lahm and Franck Ribery, who he credits with assisting in his development at the club.

“Philipp has helped me a lot and I am grateful for this,” he stated.

“He has played for such a long time at a very high level, and right or left he was the best or one of the best players in the world. You can see this season after season.

“As a young player Franck Ribery looked after me. It was him who said ‘come here my boy’. He looked out for me both on and off the pitch. As I lived in the boarding school, he often picked me up and we went out for dinner. Obviously you are grateful about those things and want to give something back. We get along very well.”