Txiki Begiristain hits back at Manchester City sceptics over Pep Guardiola doubts | OneFootball

Manchester City’s former sporting director Txiki Begiristain has hit back at those who doubted Pep Guardiola upon the Catalan’s arrival in England back in 2016.

When Guardiola was announced as City manager, many questioned whether his possession-based, high-pressing philosophy could succeed in the physical and fast-paced environment of the Premier League.

Critics suggested his Barcelona and Bayern Munich success might not translate to English football, where pragmatism and defensive resilience often dominate title races. Yet, under Guardiola’s stewardship, Manchester City have set new standards with records in points, goals scored, and consecutive wins.

The Catalan has since delivered six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and a UEFA Champions League crown, while transforming Manchester City into one of the most dominant forces in world football.

But his influence has also extended beyond trophies, with English football itself reshaped by the tactical evolution he introduced. Today, many sides – even lower-table outfits – adopt build-up play from the back and structured pressing patterns once dismissed as unworkable.

The question of Pep Guardiola’s long-term future remains a pressing one, with his current deal expiring in 2027 and recent comments leaving the door open to an extension. Still, after a turbulent 2024/25 season where he admitted the board “saved him” from a potential sacking, the conversation around his legacy remains as relevant as ever.

Speaking as part of his ‘A Farewell to Txiki‘ documentary produced by Manchester City earlier this year, released this week, Txiki Begiristain has reflected on both the arrival of Pep Guardiola at the club in 2016 and the Catalan’s legacy since.

“He changed Manchester City, the way to see football, the way to live it and he has changed the country,” the Etihad Stadium’s long-standing director of football admitted.

He continued by reflecting on Guardiola’s arrival at the club, “You know, it was quite funny, everyone [was] saying, ‘No, this way [of playing] is impossible. This isn’t the Spanish league – if you don’t do tackles you cannot win the league’.

“And then, he destroyed the league.”

Txiki Begiristain’s defence not only highlights Pep Guardiola’s influence at Manchester City but also underscores how transformative his tenure has been for English football more broadly. Having overseen Guardiola’s appointment, the departed sporting director’s comments also serve as a reminder of the faith and vision that shaped City’s most successful era.

Looking ahead, Guardiola’s challenge will be to maintain that same standard through the squad rebuild. With Bernardo Silva now captain, summer signings like Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri already impressing, City’s identity continues to evolve.

For sceptics who once doubted Pep Guardiola, the evidence of his impact is undeniable. And with suggestions that he may extend his stay even further, the prospect of his influence growing yet again looms large – both for Manchester City and the Premier League as a whole.