Does Pep Guardiola's Manchester City Transfer Policy Suggest a Long-Term Plan?

Pep Guardiola’s first press conference as Manchester City manager was a masterclass in quiet confidence. It was understated, yet permeated by an air of self-assurance. This is a man who knows he has an insatiable appetite for the game and the methods that get results.

When you’ve won 21 major trophies in seven seasons as a manager at two clubs, there’s no need for too much fanfare. Guardiola is universally respected and he knows it. There was no self-proclaiming himself as “special” or trumpeting his record. There didn’t need to be.

There was a moment midway through the briefing when he was asked if this would be his last job in the game. He spent four years at Barcelona before taking a year out, and he then completed his three-year contract at Bayern Munich before moving to City.

This is a man, it seems, who prefers short, intense bursts. Is he about to buck the trend and stay at City for the long haul—build a legacy at a club where everything is set up for long-term success?

"I don't think so,” he said with a wry smile.

"Always I will be grateful to this club, to the people who trust me to join this country and join the Premier League.

“Of course I think the coach sooner or later has to prove what it means to play in England.

“Manchester City gave me this chance and for me I was grateful for that. I will do my best to achieve what we want until the last day."

Any hopes City fans had of a longer stay than first expected appeared to be dashed early into his tenure—but the club’s transfer policy this summer perhaps suggests otherwise.

The focus is on youth. Leroy Sane, a 20-year-old winger with just 47 Bundesliga games to his name, has signed for an initial £37 million. He has potential in abundance, but his displays last season veered from brilliant to peripheral. There’s plenty of moulding and shaping to be done before he can be considered a consistent, top-class performer.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, 19, one of the youngest players at the 2016 UEFA European Championship to impress, joined from FC Ufa for just £1.7 million. He, surely, was signed with the intention of being loaned out this year—but his pre-season displays have been so accomplished that it may see a change of heart. Still, he’s a raw teenager whose Premier League experience is non-existent.

Per Sky Sports News, John Stones remains the club’s main defensive target, a 22-year-old with plenty of developing to do before he can be considered a top-class centre-half.

Stones is wonderful in possession—the finest ball-playing centre-half in England—but lapses in concentration and a tendency to overplay at dangerous times mean he was at fault for a number of goals during Everton’s disappointing 2015/16 season.

A personal phone call from Guardiola appears to have convinced 19-year-old Gabriel Jesus to make the switch from Palmeriras, despite interest from a host of top clubs, including Barcelona, per Marca.

And Marlos Moreno, another 19-year-old, is set to join from Atletico Nacional before being loaned to Deportivo La Coruna, per Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News.

Most people expected a transfer policy that saw established world-class stars join the club. Given the poor state of the squad he inherited, which was full of holes and weaknesses, it seemed the most likely approach. Big names, guaranteed success.

But it’s been quite the opposite. Guardiola’s targets suggest he is prepared to spend a season building before he sees his side become ready to challenge on four fronts.

The Catalan loves developing players. If he spots a young player with the raw attributes he admires, he sees it as an opportunity to influence them and shape their game. He’s done the same at his two previous clubs—but both Barcelona and Bayern Munich had stronger squads when he took over.

City’s was creaking badly last season. The sight of the their players slumping to their knees at the full-time whistle in Swansea on the final day of the season was absolute confirmation the squad was physically and mentally drained.

This wasn’t a particularly intense match, yet the City players were strewn across the turf at the end, exhausted and relieved the season had come to an end.

Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

An overhaul was needed—but, as yet, only Ilkay Gundogan, 25, and Nolito, 29, have joined the club as accomplished first-teamers.

Gundogan is out with a dislocated kneecap and Nolito is something of a late bloomer. Clearly, Guardiola is prepared to wait some time before his squad reaches the level he expects.

It may take him longer to get things right at City than it did in his previous posts. This is more of a rebuilding job than he has faced before. This isn't simply about taking a group of players, adding some sparkle and direction, and then watching them take on all comers. 

The City fans will be hoping his transfer dealings hint at a longer stay. He has sanctioned moves for some of the world's finest young talent. And City also have the finest academy in the country, a facility Guardiola has been impressed with. He can build a dynasty in Manchester with the tools at his disposal. 

Already, Guardiola has galvanised a club that had regressed over the last 18 months. There’s an intensity to training, and if their two pre-season friendlies are anything to go by, his methods are being understood. City are pressing hard, passing quickly and looking to attack whenever possible.

It hasn’t been an easy pre-season for Guardiola. The tour of China saw a lot of travelling for just one game played. With less than two weeks to go before their Premier League opener at home to Sunderland, City have played two friendly matches. Ideally, the manager would have liked a couple more games.

They face a two-legged Champions League qualifier before the end of August. Ensuring they make the group stage of Europe’s elite competition and build on the progress they made last season when they reached the semi-finals for the first time is crucial.

City are likely to be improved simply by having Guardiola in charge. He demands every ounce of energy from his players. The non-performances that ruined the last campaign are unlikely to be repeated and will not be accepted.

But he isn’t a miracle worker, and this is his biggest challenge yet. The City squad needs rebuilding, and it appears he is prepared to do it slowly and carefully, rather than in a short space of time, laying the groundwork for a successful future.

Surely he will want to be around to see his work come to fruition.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.