Manchester City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, is expected to depart the club at the conclusion of the current season, according to sources from ESPN.
Since joining the Etihad Stadium in 2012, Begiristain has been integral to the club’s achievements.
He and fellow former Barcelona executive Ferran Soriano were instrumental in bringing Pep Guardiola on board as the team’s manager in 2016.
Guardiola, who previously managed Barcelona from 2008 to 2012, is under contract until the season’s end and has yet to disclose his future plans.
Reports indicate that Begiristain will be involved in selecting his successor for the director of football position.
The new hire could start as soon as January 2025 and work alongside Begiristain during the latter part of the season to prepare for the upcoming transfer window.
As the head of recruitment, Begiristain has guided Manchester City through a remarkable period, securing seven Premier League titles and the Champions League trophy in 2023.
In addition to hiring Guardiola, he played a crucial role in signing star striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
Begiristain and Guardiola share a close friendship, having collaborated extensively at City. Guardiola extended his contract in 2022, which keeps him at the club until the end of the current season.
While City hopes to retain him, Guardiola has not yet made a definitive choice about his future.
With over 15 years of managerial experience that includes tenures at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, Guardiola has expressed interest in leading a national team in an international tournament. He has previously been linked to coaching roles with Brazil and England.