Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti has jumped to the defence of underfire Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

Ancelotti succeeded Guardiola at Bayern this season.

"I'm sure Pep Guardiola will do a fantastic job in Manchester City, as he did in Bayern Munich," the Italian said at a press conference in Doha.

"I think that for a coach who arrives in a new club and a new championship, it is never easy, it takes time. I know that in football, when things are going well they congratulate the players, and when things go wrong it is the coach who is the culprit.

"So I'm not surprised by the criticism of Guardiola."