Former Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong insists manager Pep Guardiola has taken the club to new heights under his charge.
Since replacing Manuel Pellegrini in the managerial hot-seat more than five years ago, Guardiola has guided City to ten major trophies, including three Premier League titles.
"Pep took City to a different level, the way he has them playing. I think that's the big difference from back in the day," De Jong told City's club website.
"If you look at the technical abilities that he has, opportunities with a new training ground and the players coming in, better players now to bring in as well.
"The food, the diet, the way they live outside of football, the media that comes in and out, he's bringing City to the stage of really competing internationally with the big teams.
"We couldn't compete back then with the Barcelona's and the Real Madrid's. We were a little too far off but on the right way.
"But he really took them to that next stage of international recognition. That's what I think he's doing with City."