Former England midfielder Paul Merson believes there is 'no chance' that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could replicate the relative success Rafa Benitez has achieved at Newcastle United.
Guardiola led City to a record-breaking, 100-point Premier League triumph last season and the Blues are on course for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies this season, having already lifted the Carabao Cup.
Benitez looks set to steer Newcastle clear of relegation for a second-consecutive season on a shoestring budget at St. James' Park, with the Spaniard overseeing an upturn in form in recent weeks.
City slipped to defeat at Newcastle in January and Merson feels Benitez is in Guardiola's managerial league - despite winning 13 fewer trophies than the Blues boss.
"I think if he wasn't the manager of Newcastle, they'd be bottom three," Merson told Sky Sports. "Quite easily bottom three. What he gets out of these players, week in, week out. They all know what they're doing.
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"Playing on a Monday night against Arsenal, away on a Monday night, and there are no trains back.
"You watch if they score there won't be an empty seat there. It's absolutely phenomenal [in regards to Newcastle's following].
"I think he [Rafa] is up there with one of the best. We go on about Pep Guardiola and how great he is. Could he do what Rafa's doing at Newcastle on what they're getting? I am going to go with, no chance!"
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