City are in ‘top hands’ with Viana, says Begiristain | OneFootball

Txiki Begiristain says he is in no doubt that Manchester City are in ‘top hands’ in the shape of Hugo Viana, his successor as Director of Football.

After 13 hugely successful years at the helm as City’s Director of Football, Begiristain retired from the role in July.

Responsible for overseeing transfer strategy as well as shaping playing principles and philosophy, in that time Begiristain proved one of the catalysts in helping transform City into one of the biggest and most successful Clubs in the global game.

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He has been succeeded in the pivotal role by Viana, who previously held an identical position at leading Portuguese side Sporting.

Begiristain was on hand to help Viana as he initially integrated into the role at City with the Portuguese figure then going on to oversee what proved an extremely busy and productive summer transfer window.

Looking to the future at the Etihad as well as reflecting on his own memorable time at City, the former Barcelona and Spain star said he was in no doubt that in Viana the Club had appointed his ideal successor.

“He has been a top selection,” Begiristain said in what was his final interview with City.

“I would say that he is quite close to what I feel I am.

“He is so calm, but he is also very decisive.

“In the winter transfer window he couldn’t be here, he was at Sporting but I’ve seen it in the last few months – the criteria he has and the way he sees football.

“The decisions on players – I think we are in top hands.”

Begiristain can reflect with huge pride on his remarkable 13-year tenure – one which saw City go on to win 21 major trophies in what has proved the most successful era in the Club’s 131-year history.

In assessing that incredible period, the Catalan pointed to the leadership and guidance of both Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano as being vital factors in helping facilitate that period of unparalleled success.

“I got the trust [from Khaldoon]. He relied on my expertise, and I felt it from the beginning,” Begiristain continued.

“Of course, I’ve had help from Ferran. It has worked and we have been winning.

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“I could see also the evolution of him too, understanding his role in the football club – he has been such an important person for me as a professional.

“For the football club, the way he has evolved and dealing in the bad moments where we haven’t won, the way he has been acting and understanding this business is so difficult to do but he has been so key in everything that has happened.

“There is an evolution and now he is absolutely top in managing the board but also managing the football club.”

At the age of 61, Begiristain will now be able to enjoy spending quality time with his family as well as having the opportunity to reflect on a magnificent overall career in the game.

But he admitted there were many things he would miss about his life at City.

“Coming in and being part of a huge club. One of the top ones in the world,” Txiki added when asked what he would miss most.

“Every day when I woke up and came in, it felt like a family.

“You are close to everyone at the CFA – the receptionist, the chefs, the kitmen… everyone. Everyone is very close.

“It’s a huge club and organisation. Still, I feel we are all friends, joined and suffering together.

“I feel that and it’s amazing.”