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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ake praises Guardiola for support</li><li>Defender's father died in 2021</li><li>Ake has turned City career around</li></ul>

Man City star Nathan Ake sends touching tribute to Pep Guardiola following 'fantastic' support during father's fatal illness

Premier League

Manchester City

Tottenham

Ake's father tragically passed away aged 63 after a 13-year fight with prostate cancer. After the Dutchman scored in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/team/manchester-city/a3nyxabgsqlnqfkeg41m6tnpp" target="_blank">City's </a>6-3 Champions League win against RB Leipzig in September 2021, he learned that his dad had died during the match. Two years on, Ake has praised Guardiola for the emotional support he gave him.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Nobody can deny that Guardiola is one of the greatest managers of all time. However, critics argue that the Catalan lacks emotional connection with his players and is therefore not a good man manager. Ake's form for City has improved significantly since his father's passing, and he believes that Guardiola played a role in that.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

As reported by the <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/nathan-ake-pep-guardiola-city-31472332" target="_blank">Mirror</a>, Ake said: "I’m grateful to Pep [Guardiola] for all he means to me on and off the pitch. When my father passed away, he was fantastic. If I needed things or wanted time off, I just had to tell him. He gave me all the time and space I needed."

WHAT AKE SAID

The arrival of Josko Gvardiol means that Ake is no longer the sure starter in defence he became last season. However, after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/new-contract-nathan-ake-defender-pay-rise-extension-manchester-city/blt39d3d726ed484532" target="_blank">penning a new four-year contract</a> following City's treble success, he looks set to stay at the Etihad Stadium for the foreseeable future.

WHAT NEXT FOR AKE?

Man City star Nathan Ake sends touching tribute to Pep Guardiola following 'fantastic' support during father's fatal illness | Goal.com

Nathan Ake has thanked Pep Guardiola for the way the Man City boss dealt with the death of the defender&apos;s father.