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Manuel Pellegrini has warned Pep Guardiola he is in for a shock when he takes over at Manchester City this summer.

Pellegrini takes charge of his last game as City boss tomorrow, away to Swansea, with Guardiola officially starting in the role on July 1.

Guardiola won two Champions League crowns and three La Liga titles as Barcelona boss, and leaves Bayern Munich this summer having won the Bundesliga three times in a row.

But Pellegrini warned Guardiola the competitive nature and intensity of the Premier League will prove a culture shock, despite his perceived status as one of the world’s best coaches.

“Of course it’s a new challenge if it’s your first time in the Premier League,” said Pellegrini.

“I’m not just talking about Guardiola, I’m also talking about myself, in the first year I arrived here.

“But when you’ve worked in Europe for so many years as a manager, you’re prepared to win that challenge.

“I’m sure that, being in a difficult league, Guardiola will be prepared to do well in it.

(Image: Reuters / Andrew Yates)

“You’re preparing for it during your whole career. You’re playing in the Champions League against English teams and seeing English games every week.

“Obviously it’s not the same as living it every week here in the Premier League, but every good manager is prepared.

“I think it will get more competitive because the TV rights are increasing every season, so every team will have more money to spend on good players.

“Every team in the Premier League has good players, but maybe the big ones make a little difference.

“The big teams involved in Europe have a double challenge - to be successful in the domestic league and also in Europe.”

In pictures - Man City 2-2 Arsenal:

Pellegrini’s final task as City boss is to secure at least a draw at Swansea on Sunday to ensure Guardiola does not face the indignity of managing in the Europa League next season.

But even if City do secure fourth spot and Champions League football, Pellegrini warned Guardiola it will be even harder to deliver domestic and European success.

“The reasons that we couldn’t get near the winners was firstly because Leicester were the best team and played very well, and secondly because we played a lot more games,” said Pellegrini.

“A third reason is that we continued in the Champions League to the semi-final and had a disadvantage against Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham.

“That makes it more difficult to reach the first four places and that’s why it will be more difficult in years to come to reach the top four.”

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