Viana is perfect replacement for Txiki – Pep | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says Hugo Viana is the ideal replacement for Txiki Begiristain as the manager hailed the incoming Sporting Director’s calm and composed approach.

Viana is currently collaborating with Begiristain to ensure a smooth transition into the role which the 60-year-old former Barcelona and Spain star leaves this coming summer.

Guardiola and Begiristain have overseen 18 trophies during their time together but the manager wants Viana to offer a fresh perspective as the pair plot more honours for City in the future.

“It’ll be so easy to communicate together and work together, so easy,” the manager told the media in his press conference.

“In those terms, it’s a perfect replacement. The way we talk, the composure, it’s quite Txiki, it’s not stress like me for example.

“So the balance, it’s more calm and hopefully he can express himself.

“I said forget what we’ve done, we need your vision. You don’t come to follow what we’ve done in the past.

“Let us talk, what do you see about the team, what do you think, what can we do better, what is your feeling?

“Back and forth opinions when they come up they’re the best opinions. I don’t want to be at a club where it's just the manager all the time, no it’s not about that.

“I rely a lot on my Sporting Directors and they give me the teams or the players they believe is the best for the team.”

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Guardiola also has high hopes for another relative newbie - midfield general Nico.

The boss has been pleased with the way the 23-year-old January recruit has started his career in sky blue and believes there’s much more to come from him in the future.

“The impact for the new ones has been really good even Vitor Reis for example who hasn’t played much but in training I’ve been impressed,” Guardiola added.

“It’s not easy when they come into an environment where the results weren’t good.

“Nico has played good. I’m sure when Rodri comes back, he’ll learn a lot.

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“He understands many things and will get it because he listens, such attention, is incredibly focused in his work, he’s football, football, football and that’s really important.

“He’s done many good things. With the ball, he is another player who has to move less. I don’t like holding midfielders who move a lot, he has to be more calm in the position but I’m sure he’ll get it.

“He comes for many years, he wants to learn, he learns quick, it’s going to happen.”