International breaks are usually quiet times for Manchester City, but this October has brought major developments. Just two days into the break, City secured a significant legal victory over the Premier League, and now it has emerged that their influential director of football, Txiki Begiristain, is set to step down at the end of the season.
Begiristain’s departure isn’t unexpected within the club. Having turned 60 in August, he’s long been considering a less demanding role, and his colleagues have been aware of his plans for some time. City have had ample time to prepare for this, reportedly lining up a replacement who is set to begin work in early 2025. This will allow for a smooth transition, minimizing any disruption caused by the exit of such a key figure.
Naturally, the question arises: how will Begiristain’s departure affect Pep Guardiola’s future? While his exit is significant, it’s not a surprise to those inside the club, and Guardiola has likely factored this into his own decision-making process. Guardiola has previously worked without Begiristain, both after his colleague left Barcelona two years before him and during his time at Bayern Munich. Nonetheless, City’s new sporting director will need to work effectively with Guardiola if the manager decides to stay.
In fact, the appointment of a new sporting director may be more critical to City’s future than Guardiola’s contract renewal. While retaining Guardiola is important, any extension would likely be his last. Thus, Begiristain’s replacement will play a crucial role either in the transition from Guardiola to a new manager or in shaping the post-Pep era entirely.
This decision will influence how City approaches its footballing philosophy, player recruitment, and long-term strategy after Guardiola departs. Begiristain has been deeply integrated into City’s day-to-day operations, regularly communicating with Guardiola and watching over training sessions. His close involvement with the team, seen after key matches like last season’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, highlights the strong working relationship between him, Guardiola, and CEO Ferran Soriano.
Should Guardiola remain, he would likely expect a similar level of interaction with Begiristain’s successor. If not, the new sporting director will face the challenge of maintaining City’s success without two of its most influential figures. Guardiola has always emphasized that while he has input, it is the club, not him, that makes the signings and manages contracts—work largely overseen by Begiristain.
Whether Guardiola stays or not, the appointment of a new sporting director will shape the next chapter of Manchester City’s history more than any other decision.
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