Douglas full of praise for top boss Pep

ASTON Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has spoken about how Pep Guardiola improved him as a player.

The City manager has been criticised at times for being reliant on the stars he has at his disposal to achieve success. Last year he was directly asked for his reaction to the claims he couldn’t win the Champions League without Lionel Messi, and this season referred back to being called Fraudiola in his first campaign in England.

However, there are numerous examples of players improving during the coach’s time at the Etihad as they won eight of the last nine domestic titles.

“For me, he is the best coach in the world. In two months, the guy managed to evolve more than 70 per cent of my potential,” said former Blues defender Luiz. “I have a lot of affection for him, I thank him so much for everything he did. I feel very honoured to have this affection from a great coach, who for me is the best, for my football.”

Guardiola was disgruntled Luiz was not permitted to have a work permit to allow him to be part of City’s squad for the 2018/19 season and with the situation the same 12 months on the midfielder was sold on to Aston Villa for an initial £15m with a buyback clause.

“I didn’t expect to be sold, but I think God knows everything,” he said. “I am very happy in this great club. It has its ‘cauldron’ [stadium], it has a very passionate crowd for the club. It is a club that is recognised throughout the country. There is a clause that City can buy me in those first two years.”