Manchester City’s leadership has publicly addressed the appointment of Hugo Viana as the club’s new sporting director, marking a major shift in the Etihad hierarchy following the departure of Txiki Begiristain. Viana, formerly of Sporting CP, steps into one of football’s most influential executive roles, inheriting the task of shaping City’s next era.
Begiristain, who spent more than a decade at Manchester City, was central to the club’s transformation into a dominant force, overseeing recruitment strategies that delivered superstars including Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Rodri. His successor arrives with a strong pedigree, having masterminded Sporting CP’s talent production and profitable player sales during a successful tenure in Portugal.
Viana is already seen as a key figure in City’s evolving financial and squad-building strategies. Reports link him to the club’s new approach of reinvesting wage savings from high-profile exits such as De Bruyne, Ederson, Jack Grealish, and İlkay Gündoğan into squad renewal and contract extensions, ensuring long-term stability at the Etihad.
Speaking in a new club-produced documentary, “A Farewell to Txiki”, Begiristain himself reflected on the handover process. “Good guy, also calm,” he said of Viana. “I can see that young, energetic sporting director come in and he is not scared about taking decisions.”
Chief executive Ferran Soriano echoed that sentiment, describing Viana’s early integration as seamless. “He’s one of us and I think that’s the perfect outcome,” Soriano commented. The CEO went on to praise his decisiveness, calmness, and ability to connect with colleagues, drawing parallels with Begiristain’s successful reign.
The pair, joined by Pep Guardiola, shared further thoughts during the documentary’s filming at Manchester’s Catalan restaurant, Tast. “He’s decisive? Yes. He gets along well with people? Yes. He’s calm? Extremely calm. Well, maybe we have the new Txiki,” said Soriano, to which Begiristain responded, “Let’s hope you have him for 13 or 15 years, because he is younger.” Guardiola added simply: “And he has that something.”
With Viana now firmly in position, attention turns to how he will put his stamp on the job. His first test came in the recent summer transfer window, where City replaced senior departures with major signings such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki.
Supporters and analysts alike will closely monitor how Viana handles succession planning and adapts to tighter Premier League financial regulations, with City’s continued dominance dependent on maintaining sharp recruitment and contract management strategies.
FAQs
- Who is Hugo Viana?
Hugo Viana is Manchester City’s new sporting director, formerly holding the same role at Sporting CP, where he built a reputation for talent development and profitable transfer deals.
- Who did Hugo Viana replace at Manchester City?
He replaced Txiki Begiristain, who served as director of football for more than a decade and played a pivotal role in City’s rise to dominance.
- What has Pep Guardiola said about Hugo Viana?
Guardiola praised Viana, saying he “has that something,” and expressed confidence in his ability to succeed in the role.
- What challenges will Hugo Viana face?
Viana must oversee City’s recruitment, succession planning, and financial compliance under tighter Premier League regulations, while sustaining the club’s elite competitive level.
- Which signings are linked to Viana’s first transfer window?
His first summer saw the arrivals of Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki.
Conclusion
The appointment of Hugo Viana represents a landmark leadership transition for Manchester City. With full public backing from Pep Guardiola, Txiki Begiristain, and Ferran Soriano, Viana begins his tenure with significant trust and responsibility. His success in replicating and modernising Begiristain’s recruitment model will be crucial in maintaining City’s dominance at home and abroad. If his early integration is anything to go by, the Etihad hierarchy believes they have found the right man to carry the baton into the next era.
