City are ‘decades’ behind the best, warns Pep

Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus.

“Atletico Madrid made that step but even they could not win the Champions League even though they deserved to.”

Despite his misgivings about City’s chances against the top clubs in Europe next season, the manager was relieved to have secured third place in the Premier League and so avoided a qualifying round.

“It was in our hands, not depending on anything, and Watford had trouble in defence, a lot of injuries, but always when you play for something on the last weekend of the season it is complicated, there is always pressure, there is no second chance,” said Guardiola.

“But we showed many good things and we are so happy,” added the manager whose initial campaign in England ended without a trophy.

Guardiola said his first season in the Premier League, “was what I expected.”

“Big, big teams, we knew it wouldn’t be easy. Knowing Chelsea play one game a week, how strong they are. Tottenham were second and one of the best teams of the world playing football.

“The gap is like this, we were not good enough but we want to play better next season to reduce that gap and fight to the end.” AFP