The footballing chief spent 13 years at the club and helped engineer the most successful period of its history
Manchester City have confirmed the departure of Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, ending a 13-year spell that coincided with the most successful period in the club’s history.
Hugo Viana, former sporting director at Sporting CP, will take over the role.
Begiristain arrived at the Etihad in 2012 and helped to shape the recruitment strategy that helped transform City into one of the best teams in the world.
During his time, the club won seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, six League Cups, a Champions League, and the Club World Cup.
The club said on their website: “Everyone at Manchester City would like to thank Txiki for everything that he has achieved during his time at the Club, and we look forward to paying tribute to his outstanding contribution in September.”
Begiristain and Pep Guardiola have worked very closely at the club, with the head coach repeatedly praising the 60-year-old as the mind behind City’s recruitment of the best footballers.
His departure has inevitably led to speculation about whether Guardiola himself will also leave City after his contract runs out in 2027.
Guardiola has already said he plans to take a break from coaching once his time at City ends.
“I know that after this stage with City I’m going to stop, that’s for sure,” Guardiola said. “It’s more than decided.
“I don’t know how long I’ll stop for, a year, two years, three years, five, ten, fifteen – I don’t know. But I will leave after this spell with City.”
