Mancini was sacked by the Etihad Stadium outfit in May after they failed to retain the Premier League title and fell to defeat in the FA Cup final against Wigan.

The Italian, who could not manage to guide City past the group stages of the Champions League in each of the last two seasons, was replaced by Manuel Pellegrini in June.

The former Malaga boss took over after guiding the Spanish club to the last eight of last season's Champions League.

Mancini, though, feels the Chilean will struggle to achieve success in Europe with the current crop of players at City.

"I would say City are a bit like Juventus. They are growing but are still a bit behind the big European clubs," Mancini told The Sun.

"To win the Champions League you need experience and the right squad. There aren’t many games, so if you get two wrong then you’re out of the running.

"In the Champions League last year, we had the toughest group. Now they have lost two important players in Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli."

Mancini does not buy into the theory that English and German sides are traditionally superior in European competition, and feels Barcelona are still the best team in the Champions League.

"I do not agree with those who say German or even English clubs are dominant in Europe," he added.

"The Germans have the benefit of a long winter break, while the English lose intensity as time goes on because they never stop playing.

"Bayern Munich are the team to beat, as they are full of stars, solid at the back and strong on the counter-attack. I still consider Barcelona to be the strongest team, though."