Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the club's Arab-funded revolution is ahead of schedule.
Mancini's expensively-assembled side, after ending a 35-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup last season as well as qualifying for the Champions League, now top the Barclays Premier League. The progress since Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group bought the club three years ago has been considerable.
The Italian, who spoke to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak this week, said: "I think they should be very happy because in football it is very difficult to get to the top in a short time like us. But now it is important to stay there for a long time."
Mancini added: "After the FA Cup I thought this year we could do another step, fight with (Manchester) United and Chelsea for the top of the league.
"But at the moment I think we started very well."
When asked whether he thought success was coming quicker than expected, he added: "Probably, yes."
City underlined their title credentials with a stunning 6-1 derby win over champions Manchester United at Old Trafford last week.
It was the club's biggest derby win since 1926 but while fans are continuing to revel in the outcome, Mancini has consigned it to history.
He believes the speed with which his players move on will indicate their maturity. Mancini made 11 changes for the midweek Carling Cup win over Wolves, but most of the victorious derby players are likely to return for tomorrow's league clash against the same side at the Etihad Stadium.
He said: "You can be happy after the game but the day after that you should think about the next game. It doesn't change because we beat United, it is in the past. This is one way we can improve. If we continue to win it is important for the confidence."
Source: PA
Source: PA