Just curious as to the thoughts of Man City fans, when do you think you'll see your club win the Champions League? With the financial backing you guys have, surely it's only a matter of time until you're reaching the final and eventually winning it?
They don't have the European experience and until they become a pot one team will always draw the likes of Bayern and Madrid in the groups inevitebly finished second in said group and then going out in the last 16.
But as it stands, they are always going to be capable of buying the level of player that can get them close. The Ronaldo and Messi era will eventually end and there's no guarantee the best players in the world will continue to play in Spain. City's money will be able to lure a higher level of player than most clubs.
They also need an elite manager at that level. Mancini's record in Europe is awful generally and Pellegrini's tactics in Europe at City have been hopelessly naive. If they could get Guardiola, for example, they'd compete in Europe. On the other hand, it might be a case of needing to win the Europa League first (after a 3rd place CL group finish) to get that winning mentality in Europe.
Buying expensive players is easy, making them into a top team isn't. I don't currently see City as being near challenging for the trophy, nor anytime soon tbh. Guardiola we are told, has no interest in moving to Manchester, London being the destination if he moves, TZ is reporting that he recently told friends in Spain that he will sign a two year extension at Bayern in any case.
Time for Pep to come do it in a competitive league in a side that isn't streets ahead of the rest. If he wants to continue with the carry on that is winning the Bundesliga every year with Bayern then fair enough I guess.
Even R.Madrid are going to be a monumental challenge to overcome for a while yet. The post Ronaldo and Messi footballing landscape will be very interesting.
It's only competitive because the quality is poor tbf, Bayern would be 8 points clear in the PL too, at least. Plus he'd have to live in Manchester which would be a bit of a downer after Barcelona and Munich let's face it.
Bayern would walk this league people bash the bundesliga but would things be any different in the premier league? no it wouldn't.
There are strong sides in Europe constantly, even the mancs who dominated the Premier League for so long only managed a couple of wins. And of course we reached two finals having not won the Premier League, so it's like asking 'how long's a piece of string?' . Even with a tip top manager and side they might not win it ever or for years, OR they could reach the final this year, next year or the year after. Too many variables, spending the most money or being the best side doesn't mean you will win a cup or in Europe, having the most money and best side is most efficient in a 38 game league season where a 2-legged head to head (tie) doesn't decide your fate, and the champions aren't decided by a one-off final at (likely) a neutral venue against a(nother) top side in Europe or one that has performed and beaten all in front of them.
Fair post above. I think Pep will need to stay at City for a few seasons, to be able to create a team capable of challenging for the big cup. I think there are too many good teams at that level, which means that money doesn't guarantee success.
They made the semi last year and a single goal elimination to the UCL winners is certainly better than either of us have managed for a few years. They had an excellent chance to avoid a last 16 elimination this season too.
And Kompany, 27, says it is inevitable that City will do the quadruple at some stage in the near future. "We can't promise it will happen now, but eventually it will have to happen," said the Belgium defender. From BBC Sport.
