Manchester City are set to lose one of their most crucial behind-the-scenes figures next summer, and surprisingly, it’s not Pep Guardiola.
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, the architect behind many of City’s biggest successes, is preparing to step down at the end of the 2024-25 season. His departure, though expected internally for some time, represents a pivotal moment for the club’s future. Begiristain, who turned 60 in August, has long hinted at his desire for a less hectic life, giving City ample time to establish a succession plan.
Reports suggest that a replacement has already been selected and will begin early in 2025, ensuring a smooth transition. But as Begiristain’s exit looms, the key question is how it will affect Guardiola’s future at the club. Having worked closely together for years, Begiristain played a major role in bringing Guardiola to City in 2016 and securing the club’s success on both domestic and European fronts.
Although Guardiola has previously managed without Begiristain during his time at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, their bond is strong. They speak daily, and Begiristain is a regular presence on the training ground and in the dressing room. As Guardiola’s current contract nears its end, the impact of losing such an ally could influence his decision on whether to stay or move on.
City’s next director of football will be central to shaping the club’s post-Guardiola era, determining how the team plays and which players are signed. If Guardiola stays, he will expect continuity, but if he leaves, the new sporting director will bear the weight of upholding the successes of the Begiristain-Guardiola partnership while also leading the club into a new era.
In Guardiola’s own words, the club’s future success lies less with the man on the touchline and more with the structure behind the scenes—underscoring just how crucial Begiristain’s successor will be in determining Manchester City’s next chapter.
