What happens next for Manchester City?

Pep Guardiola has secured his third, and arguably most impressive title as Manchester City boss.

Here, Sportsmail takes a look at what comes next for the Spaniard, and his team… 

Pep Guardiola said it was the toughest title he’s won at City. So, was it the most impressive?

Whether this was Manchester City’s most striking title under Guardiola depends on how you look at the three triumphs.

Three years ago, City became the first team to reach 100 points in an English league campaign. They were monstrous, pummelled teams into submission with wingers high and wide and an assertiveness that the opposition would be outscored. They led from the front and blitzed their way to the crown. Records tumbled.

Then there was the retention of the title amid a sustained charge from Liverpool in 2018-19, winning their last 14 games to hunt down and then hold off Jurgen Klopp’s juggernaut in stunning fashion.

So those two were impressive for different reasons but now, this latest chapter. City, as we know, looked down and out in November and had countless problems that required fixing. That Guardiola and his players corrected those over the space of a month and then went on another record-breaking winning run is testament to their character.

The smart money would have been on City’s stellar squad being best placed to navigate a truncated campaign but given the context of their start, and lack of a break, it will probably be the one Guardiola looks back on with extra fondness.

Room for improvement?

Funny, given they have won another title and are in the Champions League final for the first time, but Guardiola will want more goals next year. They have 72 from 35 league matches thus far which, while more than any other team in the division, is down significantly on the previous four years. City’s lowest number of goals under Guardiola was 80 in his first campaign.

The lack of them was part of the reason why City became more functional before Christmas, and playing practical football has been a major contributing factor in this title. But in a perfect world, Guardiola wants to rack up a century of goals a season.

The real positive this term is the spread of goals, yet only Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling have reached double figures. A fully fit and firing Sergio Aguero would have changed that, of course. Gabriel Jesus will be disappointed with his return of eight. Jesus has performed far better as a link player — and always blossoms on the left wing — rather than a poacher.

Sterling has set high standards for himself and cannot be happy with a drop in his output after hitting 20 in the league last year.

Who stays, who goes?

It promises to be an intriguing summer at the Etihad. Although their strength in depth is lauded, City are in a position where they can add to the squad quite freely. They have a maximum of 19 players on the books who will be named in next season’s 25-man Premier League squad, with three spaces left for foreign stars should they wish.

Ferran Torres and Phil Foden, will retain Under 21 registrations and so departures are not necessary from an administration standpoint. Financially, it may be different if they plan to follow through with spending top-end money on incomings.

Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez turned 30 this season and have two years remaining on their deals.

Given City’s recruitment and succession planning in key areas, some in the game have wondered if the club could maximise their resale value in the coming months. Yet both have been so integral — top scorer Gundogan’s presence off the pitch is an under-appreciated quality and Mahrez has produced big moments, particularly in Europe. Allowing either to leave feels inconceivable.

There will be interest in Aymeric Laporte after he lost his place in Guardiola’s best XI. John Stones, who took his place, is expected to sign a new deal after resurrecting his career at the club. Sportsmail understands there is a growing possibility that Fernandinho, 36, will commit to one more year.

So, who comes in?

Guardiola knows he will be backed in the market. A striker has been the priority, even before confirmation that Aguero would be waving goodbye.

Borussia Dortmund are insisting Erling Haaland will stay with them, despite interest from all across Europe. Haaland’s situation is linked to team-mate Jadon Sancho’s, with Dortmund seemingly unwilling to let both go. Guardiola has long admired Harry Kane, whose future at Tottenham is uncertain. 

City could look further down their list if valuations are unrealistic. Frankfurt’s Andre Silva, who has 27 goals this season, has a £26million release clause. There is also interest in Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, although the fee is likely to be hefty. A smaller amount is available for a left back but that is dependent on outgoings.

How many more seasons has Guardiola got in him?

The decision to extend his contract by two years last November came quickly and surprised many. Few thought he would go beyond three seasons but has now reached five and has committed to seven.

Guardiola is afforded more control than he ever experienced at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, often citing the relationship with the club’s hierarchy as a key reason for sticking around. 

He has taken to Manchester and, when signing the latest deal, believed there was still much to achieve in England. Nobody is quite sure when enough will be enough.