Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City must secure more Premier League titles to earn the respect necessary to win the Champions League following their tame exit from Europe's leading club competition.
City collected their third Premier League title in seven years last weekend, with a number of all-time domestic records still within their reach ahead of Sunday's match at home to Swansea.
But that magnificent league form contrasted with the Champions League, in which City were emphatically beaten 5-1 on aggregate by rivals Liverpool in the quarter-finals, and their manager insisted his club was still some way from being able to compete for that prize.
"I realised this season how difficult it will be to win the Champions League," said Guardiola, who lifted the European Cup as both a player and manager at Barcelona.
"May be, I am wrong but before you win the Champions League as a club you have to win more Premier Leagues in a row first, to get respect in Europe that you are a top club. If you don't, I realise this season it will be so complicated."
"The Premier League is the priority next season, absolutely. I will sign up right now if we can do what we did this season again next season. Right now. To win the Premier League together is the most important title."
'Constant'
"But what I have experienced for two seasons with this club in Europe, it is better to be focused on the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao (League) Cup and then after try to arrive at the best moment possible for the Champions League."