Guardiola: Manchester City 'decades' behind Europe's elite

Watford - Pep Guardiola insisted that Manchester City is "decades" behind Europe's largest clubs despite the 5-0 win away to injury-hit Watford that clinched Champions League qualification.

The City manager was delighted with the result on the final day of the Premier League season for one of the richest clubs in world football, but former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach Guardiola said that wealth doesn't count as much as experience and status.

"When Real Madrid and Barcelona want one player other teams cannot compete," said the Spaniard. "It's not just money. It's Real and Barca. (Money) is not enough. To compete against them we need time, decades.

"For years this club (City) was not playing in Europe, and now we've been there seven years. But to achieve the next step, the gap is shorter but it's more difficult - to compete head to head against the big clubs in Europe, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus.

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

Guardiola revealed that Sergio Aguero, who scored twice against Watford and could have had more, will remain at the Etihad Stadium next season, along with captain Vincent Kompany, who opened the scoring with a free header from a corner.

Despite his misgivings about City's chances against the top clubs in Europe next season, the manager was relieved to have avoided the Champions League qualifying round by securing third place in the Premier League.

"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.