Former Barcelona director ‘trying to position himself’ to replace Txiki Begiristain at Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City appear to have already become subject to interest in the potentially vacant position of sporting director at the Etihad Stadium, according to reports.

Txiki Begiristain has been in the position since October 2012 and has brought about the most successful period in Manchester City’s history through his squad planning and recruitment policies aligned with three managers in that time.

With Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini, and Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona man has overseen three very different styles of play, with the latter’s operation complimenting his outlook on football the best.

However, City Xtra understand that Txiki Begiristain is now plotting his exit strategy from the Etihad Stadium after 12 years in the position of sporting director, with the belief being that he will vacate his role to coincide with Pep Guardiola’s eventual exit.

And as such, a new report has detailed a watchful eye from one of Barcelona’s former officials in the soon-to-be-vacant position at Manchester City.

That is according to the information of journalist Joan Fontes, who reports that former Barcelona director Ramon Planes is now ‘trying to position himself’ to fill the role of sporting director at City, with the ‘more than possible departure’ of the long-standing official.

Unfortunately for Planes, City Xtra understand that no official date has been set by Txiki Begiristain on his eventual Manchester City departure, with the wider organisation allowing Pep Guardiola to make a decision on his future in his own time.

Information from other quarters has already indicated that both Pep Guardiola and Manchester City could side with a 12-month contract extension, taking the legendary Catalan through to the summer of 2026.

However, that would also enable Guardiola to leave at the end of next season, should Manchester City have a suitable successor ready and available to step into the Etihad Stadium dugout in place of the aforementioned 53-year-old.