Barcelona, Feb 5 (IANS): Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has backed his former manager Pep Guardiola to be successful at English football club Manchester City.

Guadiola will replace Manuel Pellegrini as the new manager of City from next season.

The Brazil international also admitted he almost joined the rivals Real Madrid in 2008.

Alves signed for the La Liga champions in 2008 for a then-record fee for a full-back when Barcelona paid Sevilla 30 million euros.

But Alves said his fate might have been different had he seen through a move to Real Madrid which he says was almost done.

"Barcelona happened to be a reference when the collective worked and individuals made the difference ... Pep Guardiola rescued that and now we have developed the idea.

"Pep will be whatever he wants to be. He is able to re-make himself, has dedication, study... he has a gift to manage," Alves was quoted as saying by Spanish radio station Onda Cero on Thursday.

In his first season at the Camp Nou, Alves won a remarkable treble of trophies in Pep Guardiola's famous side which captured La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey triumphs during the 2008-09 campaign.

"I think he did not like Bayern (Munich) because he wants a revolution from the very beginning... he will do that at Man City," he said.

When asked about his teammate Neymar's future at the club, he said: "People should know Neymar and his family better before they give their opinion. In life, people move on their interests and even more when money is an issue.

"I never hid my move to Real Madrid was almost done ... my fate changed and I arrived at."