Feyenoord manager and former Holland captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst has expressed his admiration for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

Speaking to the press ahead of Feyenoord's opening Champions League clash against the Citizens on Wednesday night, the 42-year-old Dutchman praised Guardiola's approach to football during his time at Barcelona, where both managers made their names during their playing careers.

Van Bronckhorst said: "[Pep] is a great manager. He's a big inspiration for me, he's won everything to win as a coach as FC Barcelona. It's very good to see. He has his own vision and he lets the players play the way he wants. For me, he's a big inspiration."

The former Dutch fullback, who was part of the winning Barcelona team in 2006 after beating Arsenal 2-1 in the final in Paris, also claimed that Manchester City have what it takes to win the Champions League this season.

Van Bronckhorst said: "[Man City] had a good start. I've seen a couple of matches this season and it is one of the best teams in Europe. A squad like City, with players with a lot of quality and experience - for me it is one of the teams who can win the Champions League."

City are heading into tonight's match off the back of a 5-0 victory over Liverpool at the weekend.