Manchester City identify two more potential successors to Txiki Begiristain alongside Sporting’s Hugo Viana | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City have a further two candidates to replace Txiki Begiristain now released into the public domain through a new report.

It was widely reported this week that the 60-year-old would be bringing an end to his hugely successful 13-year spell as Manchester City’s director of football at the end of the ongoing season, in a decision approved by the club and the wider hierarchy.

The understanding is that within Manchester City there had been an acceptance that Begiristain would leave the club when he turned 55-years-old, but extended that to 60 such was his enjoyment working within the Etihad project and alongside Pep Guardiola.

However, given the mammoth success working with Txiki Begiristain and the squads constructed by the former Barcelona man, Manchester City face a tough task to replace his skillset within the game in the coming weeks and months.

Whilst some believe that Manchester City have already identified their successor to Begiristain, and other reports pointing towards Sporting CP’s Hugo Viana as the name in question, links to other profiles continue to circulate.

According to the information of The Telegraph’s James Ducker, Manchester City have already identified Txiki Begisitrain’s replacement, and also anticipate the new name starting in the role of director of football early in 2025.

It is explained that such a move would enable the successful candidate to benefit from a six-month handover period, in an effort to smooth the transition and ensure Manchester City are well positioned in next summer’s transfer window.

Ducker also reports that Begiristain played a ‘prominent role’ in the recruitment of his successor at the Etihad Stadium, with Porto’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta having his admirers at Manchester City. However, it remains to be seen if he has been spoken to.

Additionally, the current sporting director at City Football Group’s Girona, Quique Carcel is also pointed out as a candidate for the role, whilst it is explained that there is an expectation that he will remain with the recently-qualified UEFA Champions League side.

Many have also speculated what the exit of Txiki Begiristain could mean for Pep Guardiola, with the Catalan coach also into the final 12 months of his Etihad contract, which is due to expire at the end of the ongoing season.

The feeling earlier this year was that while a date had not been set for their respective exits, the pair would leave Manchester City’s operation simultaneously.

That belief has changed slightly, and it is now highly unlikely that Begiristain’s exit will have any direct impact on when Pep Guardiola will choose to leave the club, with the idea of a contract extension not closed.