What Pep Guardiola Needs to Do at Man City Before His New Contract Expires

After months or conflicting reports, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City future has finally been put to bed.

The most successful manager in the club's history penned a new deal on Thursday which extended his stay at the Etihad Stadium until 2023. During his time with City so far, Guardiola has won two Premier League titles, three Carabao Cups and an FA Cup.

The Catalonian will be desperate to add to his already impressive trophy haul over the next two and a half years but that should not be the only thing on his agenda.

Here's what Guardiola needs to address before his time at City is up.

1. Get Further in the Champions League Than Craig Shakespeare

Name a better carrier of two footballs at once... we'll wait / Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

The biggest blot of Guardiola's managerial record to date has been City's horrific record in the Champions League.

In four attempts, the Cityzens have never progressed past the quarter finals, bowing out to lowly Monaco and Lyon in 2017 and 2020 respectively.

This record is made to look even worse when you realise Craig Shakespeare managed to guide a Leicester side containing Danny Simpson, Danny Drinkwater and Ahmed Musa to this stage of the competition not so long ago.

In all honestly, Guardiola leaving the Etihad Stadium without at least reaching a final would be pretty disastrous, considering the resources he's had at his disposal down the years.

2. Turn Phil Foden Into the Best Midfielder in the World

Phil Foden could be the key to England's future success / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

After seriously taking his time bedding him into the first team, Guardiola must now nurture Phil Foden's development carefully over the next few years.

Blessed with a devilish footballing brain and a near perfect technique, Foden is a serious talent. His ceiling is nothing short of world class and under Guardiola's tutelage he has a good chance of reaching it.

If he could turn him into the best midfielder in the world by the summer, England fans would be especially grateful.

3. Regain the Premier League Title

Guardiola will be hoping for more moments like this over the next few years / GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

Two Premier League titles in just four season seasons is an incredibly impressive return for any manager.

However, after being completely blown away by Liverpool last time out and making an underwhelming start to the current campaign, it's looking far from certain that Guardiola can return them to the summit of English football.

He has the credentials and experience to turn things around though, so do not be surprised if City end up winning each title from here until 2023.

4. Stop Wearing Such Outrageous Touchline Clobber

What even is that mate? / Michael Regan/Getty Images

Ever since Guardiola has started tinkering with his touchline attire, things have started to go downhill.

Sweater and smart trousers, no tie - fine. Smart suit - fine. Cargo pants, perverted hoody/cardigan mashup and unbranded trainers? Far from fine.

This is the Premier League Pep, not Freshers Week. Sharpen up.

5. Find a Sergio Aguero Replacement

This City legend's time is drawing to a close / Visionhaus/Getty Images

City's all-time leader goal scorer Sergio Aguero is set to depart Manchester at the end of the season, leaving an unforgettable collection of memories behind him.

One of Guardiola's toughest tasks over the next few years will be searching for his replacement. The team has relied on his goals for many years and there remains considerable question marks over whether Gabriel Jesus possesses the ability to step into his boots.

It's pretty clear the Guardiola will end up having to sign another striker and this could prove to be one of the toughest decisions of his managerial career.

6. Buy Some More Full Backs

A mere mention of the word 'full-back' makes Pep smile / Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

The only thing Guardiola loves more than questionable touchline clobber is full-backs.

Last season, he bought three, just two years after bringing three more in during the summer of 2017. In the most recent window he bought just two, a fairly meagre offering by his usual standards.

With his position at the club now strengthened, we fully expect him to go crazy in January and set a record for most right-backs signed in a calendar month.

7. Sign Lionel Messi

Time to get the old band back together / David Ramos/Getty Images

Lionel Messi could have ended up at City during the summer. Although that particular deal eventually fell through, that does not mean Guardiola should give up the ghost.

La Pulga will be available on a free transfer in the summer and with Barcelona in serious financial jeopardy, the Blaugrana could be convinced into parting with their prize asset in January in order to raise some much needed capital.

Does it may financial sense? No. Does it make footballing sense? Maybe not. Would it be really, really, really fun for the neutral? Absolutely.