Sir Alex Ferguson Sounds Warning to Pep Guardiola Ahead of Manchester City Move

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Pep Guardiola that "English football is not easy" ahead of the Spanish manager's summer instalment at Manchester City.

Guardiola will succeed Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium, and former Manchester United boss Ferguson has admitted City have pulled off a major coup in appointing him. But he warned the 45-year-old he cannot expect to enjoy the same success he had at Barcelona, per Sky Sports' Jack Wilkinson:

"

Without question Pep has got a fantastic work ethic about him, he demands that from all of his training sessions.

Anyone who thinks they're not going to work hard at City won't last long. He has got great coaching ability, there is no doubt about that.

Man City have made a real coup in getting him but Pep won't find it easy. English football is not easy. 

Every foreign coach that has come to England will tell you that. Arsene Wenger was talking about that a few months after coming and even Jose Mourinho was.

Pep will be a success but I don't think he'll ever replicate what he did at Barcelona because that was a high standard—they were the best.

"

Guardiola won 14 honours in just four seasons at the Camp Nou between 2008 and 2012, taking a one-year sabbatical before joining Bayern Munich, with whom he has won two consecutive Bundesliga titles.   

Having won two UEFA Champions League titles as Barca boss, he remains on track to triumph again this season in the European competition, a victory that would cement his legacy at Bayern.

They have drawn Benfica in the quarter-finals and are heavy favourites to advance from the tie to the last four.

City are also still in the Champions League but have a tough last-eight draw against Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, as analysed below by Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:

Given their wildly inconsistent form this season—which sees them fourth in the Premier League and out of the Premier League title race—Pellegrini's side could struggle against PSG. It would be a surprise if they were to advance to the semi-finals.

The City hierarchy is undoubtedly hoping Guardiola can make the club the dominant force in the English top flight and also consistent Champions League contenders.

However, City may not even have Champions League football next season, as they are just one point clear of West Ham United and Manchester United, fifth and sixth respectively, in the table with eight games remaining.

Football analysis website 11tegen11 provided the probability of a top-four finish for the Sky Blues:

The competitiveness of the Premier League will present a new challenge for Guardiola. When he was at Barca, Real Madrid were the only realistic title challengers, and Bayern's dominance in the Bundesliga has continued during his tenure.

While City won the league in both 2011/12 and 2013/14, they have arguably underperformed given how much money they have spent—Transfermarkt reports an outlay of around £225 million since their last title success.

As noted by Ferguson, it is unlikely Guardiola can lead City to Barcelona levels of dominance, but his arrival will surely see an upturn in form from the disappointing Etihad outfit.