After several days focused on legal proceedings and a battle within the Premier League involving Manchester City, the big stories continue to emerge.
On Tuesday evening, widespread reports emerged that Txiki Begiristain would step down as director of football at the end of the current season, ending a 13-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium.
The 60-year-old’s departure will likely mark the beginning of the end of the Pep Guardiola era at the club, as Manchester City prepare for the next phase of their illustrious history and ensure the club continues to succeed on all fronts. foreheads. .
Alongside the search for a new director of football to largely oversee the recruitment procedures and transfer activities at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City will simultaneously look for their new head coach and top talent to strengthen their playing squad.
But even though the nature of Txiki Begiristain’s departure seems relatively straightforward, a number of questions continue to hover around the situation, including who comes next, will it impact Pep Guardiola’s future and how will it play out the change.
Here is everything we know so far about Txiki Begiristain’s exit from his role as sporting director of Manchester City!
Will Txiki Begiristain’s departure have an impact on Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City?
As recalled by James Ducker of the TelegraphTxiki Begiristain is “extremely close” to Pep Guardiola, both personally and professionally. However, the Manchester City manager “knew for a long time” that the move was coming.
It is further statedAccording to sources, Begiristain’s departure from the Etihad Stadium is not expected to have a significant impact on whether Pep Guardiola stays or leaves at the end of the current season.
Is Txiki Begiristain’s departure linked to the ongoing legal battles between Manchester City and the Premier League?
As Clarified by James Ducker of the TelegraphTxiki Begiristain’s decision to leave Manchester City is in no way linked to the verdict on the club’s associated parties transaction rules battle, or their ongoing case involving the elusive 115 charges.
How long have Manchester City known about Txiki Begiristain’s departure?
According to the information from David Ornstein of The AthleticBegiristain had initially planned to retire from day-to-day operations at Manchester City at the age of 55.
However, it is indicated he was so invested in the City project and worked alongside Pep Guardiola that he extended this until his 60th birthday. Having taken this step in August, it is stated that the decision was made with the full knowledge and approval of the club’s hierarchy.
When will Manchester City’s new sporting director take up his new role at the Etihad Stadium?
According to The Athletic’s David OrnsteinManchester City have reportedly already reached an agreement to appoint a replacement, expected to start in “early 2025”.
Who will replace Txiki Begiristain at Manchester City?
As first revealed by The Sun newspaperand although the identity of the club’s new director of football has not been revealed, it appears that Txiki Begiristain’s replacement is a well-known person currently employed by another major European club.
Monitoring reports James Ducker of the Telegraph explains that Begiristain himself played a leading role in the recruitment of his successor.
Among the names mentioned in the same report is FC Porto’s Andoni Zubizarreta, a former teammate of Begiristain and Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and Spain, who is also his admirer at Manchester City. However, it remains to be seen whether we spoke to him.
In addition, the report highlights that the same scenario applies to Girona sporting director Quique Carcel, although he is expected to remain at the club which recently qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
Additional information revealed by Fabrizio Romano also revealed that current Sporting CP director of football Hugo Viana is Manchester City’s “preferred candidate” to replace Txiki Begiristain.
Could Txiki Begiristain change his mind about leaving Manchester City?
According to the information on Sam Lee from The AthleticTxiki Begiristain probably won’t change his mind. Instead, he’ll focus on spending more time with his family and “everything else” that comes with retirement, plus “maybe a little consulting work.”
