Manchester City boss Pep 

Guardiola aims to get to 

Barcelona's level in ten years

Pep Guardiola claims it will take Man City a decade to reach

 the levels of Barcelona

Spaniard is embarking on another spending 

spree at the Etihad but insists he needs a 

lot of time to turn team into giants

PEP GUARDIOLA reckons he needs a DECADE to make

 Manchester City as good as Barcelona.

The Spaniard is set to enter his second season in the 

Premier League after guiding Barca and Bayern Munich 

to numerous trophies.

REUTERS

Pep Guardiola claims it will take Man City a decade to 

reach the levels of Barcelona

GETTY IMAGES

The Spaniard failed to win a single trophy during his

 first season at the Etihad

But Guardiola’s first term in England didn’t go to plan as City failed to win a single competition.

Despite being widely heralded as the league’s best team by pundits, the Etihad giants could only watch as Chelsea stormed to the title under Antonio Conte.

There have already been numerous changes in personnel this summer, with the likes of Bernardo Silva and Ederson coming in and veterans including Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna being released.

But despite having unlimited resources, Guardiola reckons he needs at least ten years to replicate the success currently enjoyed at the Nou Camp.

Speaking to L’Esportiu via AS, the Spanish tactician said: “I hope to have as much fun here as in the first season, because I enjoyed it.

“There are people who say that it has not gone well, but it’s the exception to what I’ve done so far – seven years of coaching and six leagues won.

GETTY IMAGES

Pablo Zabaleta leads the clear-out of veterans from the club

GETTY IMAGES

Big money has already been spent on the likes of Portugal international Bernardo Silva

“City is a great team, but getting to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus… it’s very complicated. You need time, a decade.

“We are trying to make the necessary changes to reinforce the team. It was one of the league’s oldest, a team that had achieved many successes but had grown old.

“We have rejuvenated with Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane. I always thought what would have happened if we’d had Vincent Kompany, Gabriel Jesus and Gundogan all year.”

---

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION

Youngsters including Gabriel Jesus are ushering in a new era at City

REUTERS

Guardiola reckons City would have done better if players including Vincent Kompany weren’t injured last season

(The Sun, UK)