Guardiola is left alone: with Begiristain's departure, he faces his biggest challenge without his greatest ally.

Shortly after leaving Sporting Lisbon last February, Hugo Viana was already settling in alongside Tixiki Begiristain , whom he permanently replaced as Manchester City's sporting director. The Gipuzkoan had announced his departure in October 2024 and his club paid the corresponding release clause for Silva, who arrives at a delicate period for Pep Guardiola 's team. The Club World Cup quarter-final elimination against Al Hilal was the culmination of a disastrous season, in which they failed to win a single title and barely secured a place in next year's Champions League.

Begiristain's departure became effective at the end of July, following the expiration of his contract, after 13 years in which he exerted a significant influence on City's transformation. Under his leadership, 21 titles were won: one Champions League, seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one Super Cup, and a Club World Cup in its previous format. A former Real Sociedad and Barcelona player, always distinguished for his foresight and exquisite talent, he was also sporting director at the Catalan club.

There he met Pep Guardiola as a footballer, marking the beginning of a close relationship over the years. Ferran Soriano, City's chief executive, the man who secured his signing by the British club, completes a trio of key players in the rise of a club traditionally overshadowed by the brilliance and historical influence of Manchester United.

Tribute at the derby

Aware of all he has represented at the club, City will pay tribute to Begiristain during the Premier League derby, which will be played on September 14 at the Etihad. "Everyone at Manchester City would like to thank Txiki for everything he has achieved during his time at the Club, and we look forward to honoring his outstanding contribution next September," the club said in a statement.

City Studios, the television production company, will premiere A Farewell to Txiki , a documentary that pays generous tribute to him. "He's one of the best in history at his position," says Rodri in this film that traces his career from his early days as a footballer. "A part of me is leaving," laments Pep Guardiola, who credits him with being instrumental in his becoming a coach. "The challenge was to find an identity," says Begiristain, 60, who can also be seen meeting with Guardiola and Soriano, as well as at the signing of Erling Haaland 's contract.

The Grealish problem

Guardiola, who extended his contract until June 2026, faces the toughest period in what will be his tenth season in charge at City. The influence of Viana, Txiki's replacement, was already evident in the signings of Nico González , Vitor Reis , and Marmoush , three of the players who are part of the accelerated reconstruction.

Kevin de Bruyne , the lynchpin of the team until the start of its decline last season and one of Begiristain's valuable signings, left for Napoli, but Jack Grealish , for whom City paid 117 million euros in 2021, is still being sought. A personal gamble by Guardiola, the left-footer did not travel to the Club World Cup as a result of his progressively losing prominence and has become a serious problem. He earns 18 million euros per season, has a contract until 2027, and it will be difficult to find a destination for him that would accept such a large salary. The most plausible option as of today would be a loan to Everton.