Txiki Begiristain will step down as Manchester City’s Director of Football at the end of the 2024/25 season, the club officially confirmed on October 15, 2024. Hugo Viana, currently the Sporting Director at Sporting CP, will succeed him, joining the club in the summer of 2025 after a transitional period.
Why is Txiki Begiristain leaving Manchester City?
Txiki Begiristain is departing after a 12-year tenure that transformed Manchester City into a global football powerhouse. According to the club’s official statement, the 60-year-old Spaniard always intended to step away from his full-time role upon reaching his 60th birthday.
Begiristain arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2012, reuniting with former Barcelona colleague Ferran Soriano. His tenure is defined by the appointment of Pep Guardiola as manager in 2016 and the subsequent recruitment of key players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Erling Haaland. Under his sporting leadership, the club has secured seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the 2023 UEFA Champions League.
Who is Hugo Viana?
Hugo Viana, 41, is the man chosen to fill the vacancy. A former Portugal international and Newcastle United midfielder, Viana has earned widespread recognition for his work as the Sporting Director at Sporting CP.
According to reports from BBC Sport, Viana was the club’s primary target due to his success in building competitive squads on a sustainable budget. During his time in Lisbon, Viana played a central role in Sporting CP’s recruitment strategy, helping the club secure its first league title in 19 years in 2021 and another in 2024. His ability to identify talent in the Portuguese market is seen as a major asset for Manchester City’s long-term sustainability.
How will the transition work?
Manchester City has structured the handover to ensure continuity. The club confirmed that Viana will officially begin his role in the summer of 2025, but he will collaborate with Begiristain for several months before the formal transition.
This "handover period" is designed to allow Viana to familiarize himself with the club’s operations, academy structure, and recruitment network. By integrating the incoming director early, the club aims to mitigate the disruption of losing an executive who has been central to their sporting identity for over a decade.
What is the impact on Pep Guardiola?
The departure of Begiristain has fueled speculation regarding the future of Pep Guardiola, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the current season. Begiristain and Guardiola have maintained a close professional and personal relationship dating back to their time at Barcelona.
While the club has yet to announce a formal decision on Guardiola’s future, the appointment of Viana represents a clear step toward the post-Begiristain era. According to the Guardian, the club remains optimistic about long-term stability regardless of the management transition. The focus remains on maintaining the high-performance culture that has defined the club’s dominance in English football since 2012.