I don't think that was a direct comparison. He was just alluding to the fact that Cole was part of the "old guard" who has helped bring many trophies to this club in the last decade.
I get the Di Matteo chants and I'm all for that but people want Rafa out mainly because of his history with Liverpool. People are quick to forget that this a business after all.
I'm going to have to agree..I see City as a bigger threat with the resources they have. If they keep building on their current success they can outgrow us as a club in the long run.