What happens next at City?

MANCHESTER City’s defeat in the Champions League semi–final by Real Madrid has left more questions about the direction of the club following the departure of manager Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season.

With outgoing Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola set to take charge in July, there are issues to tackle ahead of a new era at the Etihad Stadium. Take a look.

SECURE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL

City host Arsenal on Sunday sitting in fourth place in the Premier League. Victory over an inconsistent Gunners side would put them in the driving seat to go on and claim third spot, so avoiding a tricky qualifying tie for Guardiola to navigate in order to secure elite European club football again next season.

SHOULD PEP SELL BEFORE HE SPENDS BIG?

While there are plenty of players said to be on the summer shopping list of former Barcelona boss Guardiola, the futures of current stars like Martin Demichelis, Wilfried Bony, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho are all said to be up for discussion.

AND SPENDS, SPENDS AND SPENDS AGAIN?

There was a time when City could simply blow their rivals out of the water with their own financial clout, but the imminent new bumper broadcasting deal will go some way to levelling out that advantage.