Manchester City’s long-serving director of football, Txiki Begiristain, will depart the club in 2025 after a highly successful 13-year tenure. The decision has been planned for some time, with Pep Guardiola and other key figures at the club aware of his impending departure, according to reports from David Ornstein. Begiristain is expected to take a sabbatical rather than retire, after overseeing the most prosperous period in the club’s history.
🚨🚨| BREAKING: Manchester City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain is set to LEAVE the club at the end of the season.
[@David_Ornstein] pic.twitter.com/7XwqUuGjct
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) October 8, 2024
During his time at Manchester City, Begiristain has been instrumental in transforming the squad, working with three different managers, and helping the club secure 21 trophies, including multiple Premier League titles and a maiden Champions League trophy. His role in bringing Pep Guardiola to the Etihad Stadium stands out as one of his greatest accomplishments, shaping the club’s philosophy and dominance in English football.
With Begiristain set to leave, Sporting CP’s director of football, Hugo Viana, has emerged as the favorite candidate to replace him. Viana has impressed during his time at the Portuguese club with a series of top signings, including Viktor Gyokeres, Ousmane Diomande, and Morten Hjulmand, leading to his rise on City’s shortlist. As Begiristain prepares to pass the torch, Viana is seen as the ideal choice to continue the club’s vision and maintain its success.