On transfer deadline day Manchester City announced Pep Guardiola, the world's most coveted football coach, had signed a three-year contract with them and will replace Manuel Pellegrini at the end of this season.

Kevin Parker, general secretary of Manchester City FC Supporters Club, told Press Association Sport: "It's positive that all the uncertainty has disappeared.

"There has been a little unease recently among some fans about Pellegrini and the talk of Guardiola coming.

"But that has been completely dispelled, and there will be lots of support between now and the end of the season for Pellegrini and the team.

"Everyone I have spoken to is very, very upbeat about the situation."

Barcelona claimed 14 trophies - including winning the Champions League twice - in four seasons under Guardiola, who has subsequently guided his current club Bayern Munich to two Bundesliga titles.

"There is a pot of money, and if we chase the world's best players, it will now be easier to persuade them to come.

"I don't think we're a million miles from where we want to be (domestically) and hopefully he will bring a higher level of consistency.

"There could be a period of domination because looking at the other big clubs right now and adding it all together, there is a possibility City can absolutely steal a march on the other Premier League teams.

"But the big thing from the club's and fans' point of view is challenging in Europe, and we will also be looking for Guardiola to take us to the next level there.

"It's tough coming up against the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona, but the aim is for us to be challenging to be among that top group of clubs in Europe.

"There is still a way to go between us and those clubs, and it will be difficult for Guardiola to bridge that gap straight away.

"But over two seasons, three seasons you'd imagine he definitely has that in him."