Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has acknowledged the similarities between his early days at Barcelona and the bright start Frank Lampard has made to his reign at Chelsea.
Guardiola addressed those similarities at a press conference on Friday, insisting his opposite number is well placed to enjoy the same kind of success at Chelsea.
"It is quite similar, but is too early," he began. "He [Lampard] has been a manager for a year-and-a-half and I am a little longer because I am a little older but he has his future in his hands. Experience doesn’t count much.
"I would say that when you know the club it is a good advantage and Lampard knows Chelsea perfectly - media, fans, players - that is good. When I arrived [at Barca] not many people trusted me. Few, few people. Maybe the president, sporting director and not many.
"Frank was similar at Derby. He didn’t take results and people said he didn’t have experience. When nobody trusts you it is perfect because you win every game - you cannot lose more. The problem is when you have won titles and nothing is enough."
Guardiola added: "In Frank's case, it is perfect, an ideal situation. At the big clubs, you have incredible players so it is easier to do a good job in Chelsea or Barcelona than another club.
"If you work a lot and have patience, the results and success can come."
After welcoming Chelsea to the Etihad, City will turn their attention to another home clash against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, where a draw will be enough to book their spot in the last 16.
The Blues will also be back in European action the following night, as they travel to the Mestalla to face Valencia, with both clubs still vying for top spot in Group H alongside Ajax.
Feyklpruy
112
no I wouldn't agree with you sir because the situation(s) were differents sir, you inherited Barcelona team that was in ascending other ups, why brother frank got the opposite, sir is Barcelona under any FIFA ban then or did their best player in messi move on to another club like hazard or puyor leave at the last minute to the start of a new season like David Louise? did you have a player like zuoma as a central defender back then sir? so pls if all this situations are not there then brother frank came at a time when all odds are against Chelsea brother frank is just God sent for a time like this because I don't even see any big coach that will be willing to put his reputation on line to accepts Chelsea coaching row at the time he frank came and not even you yourself sir. no hazard still you can't buy then I don't no why this comparison sir