Exclusive: When Man City are planning to appoint Txiki Begiristain's successor as insiders deliver exit plan verdict
Today at 02:45 PM
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
The Manchester City boardroom is set for a major change next year.
Manchester City sources have confirmed to TBR Football that director of football Txiki Begiristain plans to retire from the game at the end of the season.
It is understood that Txiki, who turned 60 in August, always planned on leaving at this point and the club have been working towards this.
City insist that Pep Guardiola, who is yet to decide if he will stay, has been aware of the situation throughout the process.
Sources told TBR Football that their plan is to bring in Txiki’s successor in early 2025…maybe even in Janiary to help the transition.
City sources have told TBR Football that whilst ‘sad’ there is no sense of disappointment, they knew this was coming and ‘are confident in their succession plans’.
Spanish sources are linking for Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany and former Man City star David Silva.
What about Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future?
Man City sources insist that Txiki going will not impact on Pep Guardiola’s future at the Etihad Stadium.
In addition, as things stand, Citizens chief executive officer Ferran Soriano is set to remain at the club.
READ MORE: What Manchester City are now prepared to do in order to extend Pep Guardiola's contract
Who is Txiki Begiristain?
Aitor “Txiki” Begiristain Mujika is a Spanish former professional footballer who is currently Man City’s director of football.
The 60-year-old had a fruitful playing career in attack, winning eight major titles with Barcelona including four La Liga championships and the 1992 European Cup.
Txiki also represented the Spain national team at one World Cup and one European Championship.
After retiring as a player in 1999, Txiki worked as a commentator for Televisió de Catalunya before becoming director of football at former club Barcelona in 2003.
He left the role in 2010 and linked up with Man City 2012 in a move that reunited him with CEO Ferran Soriano, who he worked with at Barca.
Txiki, along with other members of Man City’s hierarchy, has overseen a hugely successful spell of dominance from Guardiola’s teams both domestically and in Europe.
Under his stewardship, the club has a total of 22 trophies across seven different competitions.