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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Kwame Boakye

Zinchenko explains Pep Guardiola advice that changed his Man City career

Oleksandr Zinchenko has hailed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as the best manager in the world.

The City star credited Guardiola’s communication skills and his knack of knowing when to deliver his message as being his best asset.

The Ukrainian international joined City in the summer of 2016 and was immediately loaned out to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for the season; he returned the following campaign to help the Blues win the Premier League title and Carabao Cup.

Though he was initially signed as a left-winger and attacking midfielder, Guardiola adapted his game and converted him into a left-back and Zinchenko has gone on to establish himself as a key member of City’s squad.

In a recent interview with CityTV, the 25-year-old looked back on his time with the club and explained why he felt Guardiola was the best manager in the game.

"You are always trying to learn from him (Guardiola) and one of the best things he has, for me, is that he knows what to say and exactly when to say it," said Zinchenko.

"Obviously, about tactics and stuff, everyone knows he is the best, but it is so important to know when you have to say and what you have to say to the squad."

Zinchenko also revealed why he’s thrived playing on the left side of City’s defence and the role Guardiola played in helping him adapt to the position.

He added: "Fortunately, I had a little experience in the past playing at left-back for other clubs, but the manager was just trying to explain the role to me - what I had to do with the ball, off the ball, and he told if I worked hard, I'd get my chance."

Zinchencko has made 112 appearances in all for City, winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four League Cups.

We’ve teamed up with LiveScore to invite fans to vote for their favourite results - the games which were much more than a score. Vote for the match that mattered to you here .

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