Manchester City have officially confirmed that Txiki Begiristain, their long-serving Director of Football, will step down at the end of the season, making way for Sporting CP’s Hugo Viana to take up the position.
Begiristain, who has been with City for 12 years, is credited with helping to transform the club into a dominant force both domestically and in Europe.
A statement from City, released on Saturday, highlighted the “trophy-laden” period that has marked Begiristain’s tenure. Since joining in 2012, the Spaniard has overseen a remarkable haul of seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, six EFL Cups, and most notably, the club’s first-ever Champions League victory.
Txiki Begiristain, now 60, is set to remain in his post until City’s participation in the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup concludes.
Following this, he will officially hand over responsibilities to Viana, who will be collaborating with him during the transitional months to ensure a seamless changeover.
The club’s statement read, “Txiki will leave his current post following the club’s involvement in this summer’s Fifa Club World Cup and will be succeeded by Hugo Viana of Sporting CP. Viana will begin his full-time role in the summer of 2025, but will collaborate with Txiki in the preceding months to ensure a smooth transition. We look forward to paying tribute to Txiki’s outstanding contribution to Manchester City at the end of the season.”
Begiristain’s influence at City stretches far beyond their trophy cabinet. One of his most celebrated achievements was facilitating the arrival of Pep Guardiola as manager in 2016, a partnership that has been instrumental in City’s era of dominance.
Guardiola has often expressed his appreciation for Begiristain’s work, particularly in terms of recruitment and squad building.
This announcement coincides with a critical period for City. Guardiola’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and the club is also entangled in a series of legal battles.
Earlier this week, a verdict was reached in City’s legal case with the Premier League over rules surrounding commercial agreements involving club owners.
Although both sides claimed a form of victory, this case is separate from the ongoing disciplinary commission investigating 115 charges against City for alleged breaches of financial regulations dating back to 2009.
Hugo Viana, who will take over as City’s director of football in 2025, is no stranger to the Premier League, having made 39 appearances for Newcastle United between 2002 and 2005.
His playing career saw him excel as a midfielder in Portugal, Spain, and the UAE. Since transitioning to a backroom role, Viana has garnered widespread praise for his achievements at Sporting CP.
Over his six-year tenure, he helped secure two league titles for the Portuguese club, breaking a 19-year drought with the first in 2021 and reclaiming the title last season.
In addition to his domestic success, Viana has been recognized for his shrewd business acumen, orchestrating lucrative transfers for players to Premier League clubs.
Some of his notable deals include Bruno Fernandes’ £67.7m move to Manchester United and Matheus Nunes’ £42.2m transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers, helping to boost Sporting’s finances.
As City prepares for the next chapter, all eyes will be on how Viana continues the legacy of success laid down by Begiristain and how this leadership transition might shape the club’s future, both on and off the pitch.
