Manager to block club director from ‘entering dressing room’ during Manchester City clash | OneFootball

Manchester City’s incoming Director of Football, Hugo Viana will be blocked from entering the Sporting CP dressing room during the two clubs’ meeting next month.

The two clubs have recently reached an agreement over the transfer of Hugo Viana over to the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2025, replacing the outgoing Txiki Begiristain from the same role at the club.

Begiristain will be bringing an end to an illustrious 12-year stay at Manchester City, having constructed some of the finest squads in the club’s history, working under all of Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola.

Having originally planned to leave the day-to-day duties of his role at the age of 55, Begiristain extended his stay by a further five years as a result of his enjoyment at working on the Manchester City project and alongside his close friend, Pep Guardiola.

Now speaking during his first press conference after news was confirmed that Hugo Viana would succeed Begiristain as City’s Director of Football in 2025, Sporting manager Ruben Amorim stressed that very little would change regarding day-to-day activities at the club.

“Nothing about Sporting has changed. Nothing,” the 39-year-old tactician admitted this week. “Everything remains the same until the end of the season.”

However, given a potential conflict of interest with a deal now in place between City and Viana, Ruben Amorim has confirmed Hugo Viana would not be permitted to enter the Sporting dressing room during the two clubs’ meeting in the UEFA Champions League next month.

“Obviously, (Hugo) Viana – during the week against City – won’t be available to enter the dressing room. I’m going to leave him out, to avoid conflicts.

“Otherwise, everything will stay the same until the end of the season,” Amorim revealed.

Sporting CP and Manchester City will meet on matchday four of the revamped and expanded UEFA Champions League next month at Estádio José Alvalade in the Portuguese city, having already contested two matchdays so far in the competition.

Manchester City’s matchday one meeting brought about a 0-0 draw against Inter Milan, before strolling their way to a 0-4 win away to Slovan Bratislava, whilst matchday three brings a home clash against Sparta Prague at the Etihad Stadium this month.