Sporting Lisbon Director of Football Hugo Viana is Manchester City’s leading candidate to replace Txiki Begiristain.
Begiristain is expected to leave the club at end of this season. The Spaniard has long planned to step down from his role after turning 60 and celebrated that milestone in August.
His decision was communicated to Manchester City some time ago and he will leave with the well wishes of the club’s hierarchy. Having previously worked with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, the duo reunited in Manchester and have overseen the most successful period in the Citizens’ history.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Sporting chief Viana is the top target to replace Begiristain. The 41-year-old has won admirers for his work with the Portuguese side, who ended their 19-year wait for Primeira Liga title in 2020/21 and added a second title under Ruben Amorim last season.
Viana has been involved in several eye-catching signings, including the additions of Viktor Gyokeres, Ousmane Diomande and Morten Hjulmand, each of whom are attracting interest from Europe’s top clubs.
Who is Sporting director of football and Manchester City target Hugo Viana?
Viana has been director of football at Sporting Lisbon since 2018, following a short stint in the same position at Portuguese rivals Belenenses.
A product of the Sporting academy during his playing career, he will be best remembered by English football fans for a spell at Newcastle United.
The Magpies signed Viana in an £8.5m deal in 2002, with the midfielder becoming the most expensive teenager in Premier League history at that time.
Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepherd declared Viana as ‘the best young player in world football’ upon his arrival but he struggled to make an impact at St James’ Park. Viana scored twice in 56 appearances for Newcastle before spells at Valencia, Braga and Al-Ahli among other clubs.
He earned 29 caps for Portugal, scoring once.
