Manchester City Eyes Sporting’s Hugo Viana to Replace Txiki Begiristain as Sporting Director
Manchester City are reportedly set to bring in Sporting Clube de Portugal’s sporting director, Hugo Viana, to take over from Txiki Begiristain, who is expected to leave the club next summer after 12 successful years. Viana, known for his sharp eye in the transfer market, has built an impressive reputation during his six-year stint at Sporting.
At 41, Viana is a rising star in the world of football executives, having masterminded several major deals for Sporting. His transfer achievements include high-profile sales of players such as Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes, Joao Palhinha, and Pedro Porro, all of whom have moved to top European clubs. Most recently, Viana orchestrated the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, a deal that’s proven to be a masterstroke, as the Swedish forward has taken the Portuguese league by storm, scoring 43 goals in 50 appearances in his debut season.
This season, Gyokeres has already netted 11 times in just eight games, propelling Sporting to the top of the table. Viana’s summer transfer window, which saw Sporting sign six players, also included the acquisition of promising 19-year-old striker Conrad Harder, who could follow in Gyokeres’ footsteps as the next breakout star.
City, keen on bolstering their recruitment strategy, would benefit greatly from Viana’s extensive knowledge of the Portuguese league. Players like Gyokeres have been linked with moves to the Premier League, although Gyokeres may be hesitant to join City given the difficulty of competing for game time with Erling Haaland as the main striker.
Viana’s expertise could help City identify top talent, and there are a few names already on the radar that he could bring to the Etihad.
Ousmane Diomande (Centre-Back)
After a rocky 2023/24 season, Diomande has bounced back this year, playing a key role in Sporting’s solid defense. At 20 years old, he’s been a consistent presence in the backline, helping his team concede just two goals in Liga Portugal so far. A long-term defensive option for City, Diomande is also attracting attention from Arsenal.
Morten Hjulmand (Midfielder)
Hjulmand joined Sporting last summer and has quickly made an impact, being named team captain within a short time. His commanding performances in midfield have caught the eye of Premier League clubs, with Manchester United among the admirers. When asked about his future, Hjulmand told Tipsbladet: “I’d say that [Premier League] is a destination I could see myself going to in the future.”
Goncalo Inacio (Centre-Back)
Inacio, a product of Sporting’s academy, made his senior debut at 19 and has since become a key figure in the team’s defense. The Portugal international could be a natural fit at Manchester City, joining fellow Portuguese stars like Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and Matheus Nunes. At 23, Inacio represents another strong defensive option for City.
Geovany Quenda (Forward)
At just 17, Quenda is one of the brightest young talents at Sporting. Discovered by Viana during his time at Benfica, Quenda has already broken into the first team after just one season with the under-23s. The teenager has made six league starts, and could be a player to watch for the future as City looks to secure young talent.
With Viana’s track record of finding top-tier players and developing emerging stars, his potential arrival at City could signal a new era of smart recruitment and long-term success for the Premier League champions.
