Former Real Madrid coach Raddy Antic says English club football is in the doldrums.

Antic is one of only two men to have managed both Real and Barcelona, and has watched both clubs make serene progress in this season's Champions League.

"You saw what happened in the Champions League final last year," he told the Sunday Mirror. "It was incredible.

"You look at the possession stats and they're unbelievable.

"Barcelona had almost 70% of the ball and ­Manchester United had 30%. You can't win football matches if you can't get the ball. Barcelona play the game with so much authority.

"If you keep the ball you have that authority, you can boss the game - that's why Barcelona are so strong and so successful.

"If you look at English clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United, you think what's going wrong?

"You just don't see that same authority - that's why they're so far behind the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid."