Hugo Viana has been officially named as Manchester City’s new director of football.
Txiki Begiristain is replaced by Viana when it was revealed the Spaniard would retire at the conclusion of the 2024–25 campaign.
“Viana will begin his full-time role in the summer of 2025, but will collaborate with Txiki in the preceding months to ensure a smooth transition,” stated a statement from the city.
“We look forward to paying tribute to Txiki’s outstanding contribution to Manchester City at the end of the season.”
Between 2001 and 2012, Viana played for Valencia, Newcastle United, Sporting CP, and Portugal, earning 29 caps.
Despite fierce competition from FC Porto and Benfica, he helped Sporting win the Portuguese championship in 2021 and 2024 after being named as the team’s director of football in 2018.
In 2020, he is credited with hiring Ruben Amorim as manager, who has been instrumental in propelling Sporting back to the pinnacle of Portuguese football.
Before pursuing a deal for Viana, sources close to City informed ESPN that they also took a hard look at Girona sporting director Quique Carcel.
Pep Guardiola’s future is now much more uncertain following Begiristain’s decision to depart the Etihad.
Since the two have collaborated extensively at City, Guardiola’s contract will expire at the end of the current campaign.
The 53-year-old has avoided answering inquiries over whether he intends to sign a new contract extension thus far.
ESPN has learned from sources that Guardiola is wanted to stay by City, and they would like to know his future plans before the new year.
ALSO READ:
After Leaving Anfield, Former Liverpool Defender Matip Announced His Retirement.
