Why Pep Guardiola has made such a great impression on Manchester City defender Gael Clichy
Says Frenchman of new boss: 'It's very impressive. It's fresh and he has new ideas...he’s going to change a lot of things'
GAEL CLICHY says Pep Guardiola has already shown the Manchester City squad why he is regarded as one of the managerial greats.
The former Bayern Munich coach has been taking training for less than three weeks after taking over from Manuel Pellegrini in the summer.
But the City players who are already back have quickly seen what all the fuss is about surrounding their new boss.
Clichy said: "In a short period of time, he's shown us how great he is. Of course, being great doesn't mean having results, but everyone is looking forward to this season.
"The young players are improving, we're improving. We don't want to say too much because one manager isn't going to change the whole club.
"But of course he's going to change a lot of things."
Clichy worked under Arsene Wenger for many years and has also been coached by Roberto Mancini and Pellegrini at the Etihad.
He added: "Each manager has their own philosophy. I've been with Arsene Wenger. It was a different philosophy. Roberto Mancini was a different philosophy.
"We all know the way he wants to play and it's not for me to tell you what he wants. It's very good. It's very impressive. It's fresh and he has new ideas.
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"It's not going to be easy because we are starting from zero and the way he wants to play.
"Having a great manager and great players is not enough and you have to work hard and we start the season as strong as possible."
City were missing 13 first teamers who were either injured or involved in the Euros as they played a young side against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
But fans were encouraged by what they saw during the 1-0 defeat at the Allianz - although Clichy says there is more to come.
He said: "It's the first game and when you have a new manager coming in, you always want to improve.
"Even when the manager is bad, you always have this kind of energy because everyone wants to prove themselves.
"But having him on the side is going to be an extra bonus. But the main focus is the Sunderland game and we will see how it goes."