Txiki Begiristain’s 12-year stint with Man City is set to come to an end this season. (Image: Getty)
Manchester City already know who they want to replace the departing Txiki Begiristain as the club’s new director of football.
Begiristain has spent a hugely successful 12 years with the club, winning seven Premier League titles and one Champions League – the latter part of a league and cup treble in 2023.
It was reported earlier on Tuesday afternoon that Begiristain is set to step down from his role at the end of the season.
The decision is believed to have the full backing of the club’s hierarchy, with Begiristain having made it clear he wasn’t keen to work beyond his 60th birthday.
Begiristain turned 60 in August, with City believed to have been in contact with his replacement, who is likely to start work in the new year.
It’s a move that will see Begiristain’s successor shadow him for six months, before taking the reins ahead of what could be a pivotal summer transfer window.
According to reports, that man could be current Sporting CP DoF Hugo Viana.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed the ex-Newcastle United star is top of City’s list, having impressed in the role with Portuguese giants Sporting.
Hugo Viana is being touted as a potential replacement for Txiki Begiristain at Man City. (Image: Getty)
Viana took over as DoF at Sporting in 2018 and has overseen plenty of prosperous transfer deals, including the £17.5million purchase of striker Viktor Gyokeres from EFL Championship side Coventry City.
Other success stories include the purchases of Ousmane Diomande and Morten Hjulmand – two players currently linked with moves to the Premier League.
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Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1959192/man-city-next-director-of-football-hugo-viana