One of the first issues for Guardiola to resolve will be the Manchester City defence.

Ageing, at times ineffective and inconsistent last season, the back line was a let down in City’s push for the Champions League places and the Premier League title.

Pep will have done his homework on the players concerned and will have taken note of each individual’s frailties. A strong, ball playing defender that joins up with the attack is what Pep looks for and that’s why he has been so heavily linked with Everton’s John Stones.

However, there is cause for concern for Guardiola, as the mainstay and captain of the team rarely ever appears to stay fit. Vincent Kompany may be a decent defender, but Pep will need to assess his fitness and make a decision whether to replace him and move him on or whether the Belgian has a role to play.

The same can be said for all of the back four with Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala and Kolarov all under the spotlight.

So with money at his disposal, who should Pep consider? Here are five possibilities…

Bruno Peres

City are reportedly set to step up their interest in Torino right-back Bruno Peres, and with Zabaleta thought to be on his way, Peres appears to have been identified as a replacement.

Aymeric Laporte

The young Athletic Bilbao centre-back, a regular for France’s U21s, is not the biggest, at 6ft 2in, or quickest, but more than makes up for it with a superior understanding of the game and an unmatched desire.

He is brilliant in the air and the left-footed centre-back is also extremely comfortable at left-back and brilliant on the ball, with a long range of passing.

Ricardo Rodriquez

Nothing has been mentioned yet, but with other Premier clubs watching the young Swiss full-back, it won’t be long before Pep is linked.

Still only 23, Rodriguez has been a regular for Wolfsburg since the 2011/12 season, and is surely ready to move to a top club.

Leonardo Bonucci

The 29-year-old Juventus man is one of the best defenders in Europe and is thought to be interested in linking up with Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

However, the chance to work with Guardiola and a chance to continue to play in the Champions League could persuade the tough tackling Italian to go to the Etihad instead.

Joshua Kimmich

Although more a midfielder, Kimmich has played for Bayern under Pep in the central defensive position and Guardiola supposedly rates the 19-year-old very highly.

Kimmich has played for Germany during Euro 2016 and has received praise, so it’s not beyond the realms of possibilities that the new City boss is keeping one eye open on the Bundesliga.