The Manchester City boss is known for his intensity, a formidable force who approaches his role with a cast iron focus and leaves no stone unturned in his bid for success.
It’s brought him and City an exceptional amount of silverware and, as the Club prepares to try and claim a landmark first Champions League title, Ake admits Guardiola‘s demands are constant.
“It is intense but in a good way,” explained the Dutchman.
“Pep is always on your case and when he is on the pitch he is trying to make the team better and get the little details right, very tactical, but he also gives you the freedom to play what you see and be free on the ball, but in his tactical way.
“On the pitch he is a genius and always trying to help the team. It is intense but I think every footballer likes that, to learn and to be able to train under him.”
Ake believes Guardiola is the perfect manager for him.
The defender feels his attitude is similar to that of the Catalan’s and says working with him has only enhanced his mentality.
However, whilst he always wanted to play for a coach like Pep, the 26-year-old admits he had to make a significant step up in order to adjust to the demands of his new environment following his summer switch from Bournemouth.
“I think that I already had the intensity and the willingness to do well and to win trophies, but the difference is big, and it is a big jump,” he added.
“Straight away when you come into this environment, you get the feel and need of winning games.
“The club and the manager expect it and the players expect it from themselves to do well in every game.
“Every week you are here you get that more and more and that is how you develop and learn that winning mentality.
“When we grew up in Holland, we tried to play the way we do over here. You learn it all the way and I have played different positions, so you get to know different positions as well.
“So, to come here and play under this manager is great for me and I always wanted that.
“You learn so much on the ball and off the ball, the way the team play is great for me and I am still learning even when I am getting older.”
Though injury has limited Ake’s impact in his debut season, he returned in time for the business end of the season to play his part in a memorable campaign.
Victory over former club Chelsea would make it even more special and the centre-back is no stranger to European success, having been part of the Blues side that won the 2013 Europa League under Rafa Benitez.
Growing up in the Netherlands, the Champions League always had a special allure and as he prepares to fight for the biggest prize in the club game, the centre-back feels privileged to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the great and the good of Dutch football.
“I think every young kid dreams of playing in the final,” added City’s No.6.
“Especially Dutch players as well. I think [Clarence] Seedorf won three or four, so there are so many big players in Holland that have done it.
“Recently, Virgil Van Dijk and the boys from the national team did it as well, so as a Dutch player you grow up with it and you want to do it. Now, we are so close and it will be great to do it.
“This is one of the biggest cups in world football. You have got national team cups like the Euros and the World Cup, but this one is a very big cup and every player wants to be able to play this and to win it.
“To be able to have a chance to do it is great and we are looking forward to it.”
