Roberto Mancini said that he expects Manchester City to be challenging for major honours for many years to come.
The Italian said that the Citizens must aim to replicate the kind of success that their cross-city rivals Manchester United have enjoyed over the past 20 years.
Mancini also revealed that the chance to become a part of the Citizens' history was one of the things that lured him to the Etihad Stadium.
"Our targets should be to match the achievements of United, Barcelona and Real Madrid in the future," said the 47-year-old. "I think that Manchester City are set up now to win many trophies. That has to be the target.
"Manchester City will be a top club for many years and I think the team that starts next season will be stronger than the one that finishes this season.
"One of the things that attracted me to City was the chance to change their history."
Mancini took over at City in 2009.