Manchester City is gearing up for a significant shift in leadership as they prepare for the arrival of a new sporting director for the 2025/26 season. Following the announcement that Txiki Begiristain will depart the club this summer, the Etihad Stadium confirmed that Hugo Viana will step into the role once the current campaign concludes.
Recent insights from The Athletic shed light on the transfer strategy Viana will inherit, emphasizing Begiristain’s vision for the squad. The report noted, “In terms of the playing staff, Begiristain wants each position to have at least two players comfortable playing there, ideally with an age gap between them, so there is an inbuilt succession plan. The intention to have succession plans woven into the squad essentially reflects how the club and wider group are run, on both football and business fronts.”
Intriguingly, new details have emerged suggesting that Viana’s appointment could lead to increased involvement from a well-known figure in the world of football transfers.
Will Jorge Mendes Play a Bigger Role?
According to a recent piece from the Daily Mail, “Hugo Viana’s appointment as Manchester City’s incoming sporting director has raised industry whispers about the influence super-agent Jorge Mendes will have on the club’s future recruitment.”
Viana, who currently leads Sporting Lisbon, is set to take over from the 60-year-old Begiristain and has a close relationship with Mendes, an agent representing some of football’s biggest stars. As Viana transitions into his new role, there’s a growing expectation that Mendes will play a more significant part in City’s recruitment strategy.
Mendes’ Young Talent Pool
Interestingly, Mendes’ connection to Viana dates back to 2002, when Newcastle United signed the incoming sporting director for €12m, marking Mendes’ first deal with an English club (according to These Football Times). Mendes already represents several players in City’s current lineup, including Ederson, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva.
If Viana decides to tap into Mendes’ extensive network to bring fresh talent to Manchester, a selection of promising young players under Mendes’ management could be on the radar. Here are some noteworthy names:
- Warren Zaire-Emery
- Joao Neves
- Alejandro Balde
- Antonio Silva
- Francisco Conceicao
- Bradley Barcola
- Goncalo Ramos
- Rayan Ait-Nouri
While it remains uncertain if any of these talents will make their way to Pep Guardiola’s squad, it illustrates the potential pathway Viana could explore with Mendes in the coming years.
For now, though, Manchester City’s primary objective is to secure as many trophies as possible before the transition from Begiristain to Viana takes place this summer. The club’s focus remains on maintaining their competitive edge during this pivotal period.
