Ancelotti: I thought winning Ligue 1 would be easier

3 Feb 2013 09:20:00

The Paris Saint-Germain boss says he was unaware how big a challenge he faced at the Parc des Princes, but is confident his side will become one of Europe's finest in time

Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that he thought winning Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain would be easier.

The capital club have spent vast sums of money bringing in the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, after seeing Montpellier claim the title last season.

This term, PSG are top of the table, and Ancelotti is confident that the all-star team assembled by the owners and Leonardo can triumph.

"This is not my team," he told The Daily Mail.

"This is the team of the owner, as I said at Chelsea. But I feel good. I thought it would be easier, but after one year I can say it’s not so easy because the championship here is difficult.

"There are good players, good teams here and, because we have spent a lot of money, we have to win."

Ancelotti, went on to state that the Parisians will go on to become one of the continent's finest teams in time.

"Paris Saint-Germain will be a team like Manchester United, like a top team, in Europe," the 53-year-old added.

"I don’t know how long it will be, but it will be for sure. We want to do it as soon as possible but it’s not so easy to build a team buying players. You buy them but then you have to put them together and that job takes time."

David Beckham joined the club on a short-term contract on deadline day, and the former AC Milan boss is looking forward to seeing the 37-year-old former England captain in action.

"I’m very happy to have him here," he added.

"He’s a fantastic professional and will help the team this season. About the age, I remember that Paolo Maldini won the Champions League in 2007 at the age of 38. This means that when you are professional, you are forever young."