Monday 26 February 2018 11:54, UK
Jamie Redknapp believes Pep Guardiola is embarking on a "dynasty" at Manchester City after watching his side cruise to Carabao Cup success against Arsenal at Wembley.
City did not have to be at their best to overcome the Gunners, but having led at half-time through Sergio Aguero's strike, Guardiola's men produced a professional second-half display to seal a convincing 3-0 victory.
Vincent Kompany and David Silva ended the contest with two goals in the space of eight minutes as Guardiola secured his first major trophy in English football, putting to bed any fears created by the shock FA Cup exit to Wigan.
Redknapp claims City could go on to enjoy a period of domination both on home soil and in Europe.
"This club is creating a dynasty now," he said. "They've got so much potential and have so many experienced players with Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, David Silva. These are three players who have pretty much been there since the start and the change in ownership.
"The style of football they play, the manager is an incredible human being with the way he gets his team playing and the belief that he has.
"They deserve it and it's quite scary for everyone else in the Premier League right now and Europe because they are quite capable of dominating everything."
Guardiola has defended his huge spending since taking charge of City, with the £57m arrival of defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao taking his outlay in 19 months to £448m, more than half of which has been spent on defenders.
But the money paid out is starting to be converted into trophies, and City are now able to focus on consolidating their position at the top of the Premier League with the club all-but through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Redknapp highlighted the impact of Guardiola, adding: "It's very difficult for them to have done this without the money they've spent and the players that they've acquired, but you need the right manager.
"He's the one that sets the agenda and he's the one every morning that has that passion when the players come into training. They play with a purpose, they don't play out from the back without an idea. They know exactly what they're going to do and every scenario is covered.
"You just wonder how long he'll stay here for. His projects have usually been for two or three years and then he moves on. Here, you just believe there's something special that he can do.
"The average age of the squad is young, they're dominating youth football now and at this level. You can see this club going from strength to strength.
"Pep improves players. (David) Silva is even better this year and Kevin De Bruyne has gone on to another level. He seems to do that with everybody."
