Manchester City has announced that Hugo Viana will join as their new director of football starting in July 2025, following the retirement of Txiki Begiristain at the end of the season. Sources from GIVEMESPORT revealed that Newcastle United was also interested in hiring the Portuguese official.
Begiristain, the long-serving club chief, will retire after turning 60 and spending 12 years at Manchester City, following a previous stint at Barcelona. In response, City moved swiftly to ensure a smooth transition, securing Viana, currently with Sporting CP, to officially assume the role after the Club World Cup concludes in July.
Although Viana’s official start date is in July, he will begin working alongside Begiristain from early next year to ease the transition. The club also plans to honor Begiristain for his contributions at the end of the season.
Sources disclosed that Begiristain initially intended to retire at 55 but decided to stay on due to the club’s success. However, he informed the club last year of his final decision to retire in 2025 and played a key role in Viana’s appointment as his successor.
Viana will remain with Sporting CP until the end of the January transfer window before unofficially working with Manchester City to familiarize himself with the club’s operations.
GIVEMESPORT also confirmed that City faced competition for Viana’s services, with Newcastle and other Premier League clubs expressing interest. Viana has been instrumental in Sporting’s recent success, helping the club secure two Liga Portugal titles in the last four years under coach Ruben Amorim.
While Manchester City has resolved the future of their director of football, they are still waiting for a decision from manager Pep Guardiola, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
Guardiola, the club’s most successful manager, has yet to commit beyond 2025. GIVEMESPORT sources revealed that the FA is interested in hiring Guardiola as Gareth Southgate’s successor for the England national team. However, concerns about his high salary make him a costly option.
No formal discussions have been held regarding Southgate’s replacement, with Lee Carsley expected to remain as interim manager for the November international fixtures.
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