Sunday 9 April 2017 14:02, UK
Pep Guardiola's appointment at Manchester City marked the dawn of an exciting new chapter in the club's history - but just how successful has the Spaniard been in his first season at the Etihad?
That was one of the topics of debate on the Sunday Supplement and James Ducker, the Daily Telegraph's Northern Football Correspondent did not hold back.
"Guardiola has been a real disappointment to say the least," he said.
"Yes, they've still got a chance of winning the FA Cup but, if you look at the money they've spent in the transfer window, they've scrambled around for the top four and they were well beaten in the Champions League. There hasn't been the level of progress anyone expected.
"They need a strong finish to the season, coupled with a really good time in the transfer market. Guardiola is looking to bring six or seven players and I see a dozen or so departing.
"This is going to be the biggest summer overhaul City have ever taken at a huge expense. They are rightly prepared to back Guardiola, they believe he will get it right and he deserves time, although the second season will have to be better.
"He will have more backing than any City manager has ever had, and arguably more back than anyone bar Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. The power that man wields at City is frightening."
Dominic Fifield of the Guardian was similarly critical of Guardiola's first season in English football but mirrored Ducker's claim that City would back him, and some.
"Guardiola has been underwhelming," Fifield said. "In some ways, the fact he hasn't been able to swan in and carry the title away easily is good for the Premier League.
"It's been underwhelming but having persuaded Guardiola for so long to move to City, it would be madness if they didn't back him."
Unwavering in his support of the philosophy which brought so much success at the Camp Nou and Allianz Arena, Guardiola has balked at the suggestion he should alter his approach to cope with the challenges of Premier League football.
The Spaniard has been involved in a number of short, heated exchanges with journalists this season, leading John Cross to describe him as rude, arrogant and dismissive.
"City are on that second tier of teams that are behind Chelsea and Tottenham - the best two teams in the Premier League by some distance - and that condemns them in a way," the Daily Mirror's chief football writer said.
"Guardiola has got things badly wrong with the goalkeeping and full-back situations at the club and they've gone backwards in the Champions League.
"Yes, there have been high points this season, but this season has been a massive disappointment for Guardiola, I was expecting so much more.
"I expected more entertainment, I don't think he comes across well in the media and he's arrogant beyond belief.
"He sends a very negative message in his post-match interviews and it sets a really negative tone. To be so rude, arrogant and dismissive is out of order."
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