It has been revealed that Omar Berrada was earmarked as the long-term replacement for sporting director Txiki Begiristain at Manchester City.
However, the 46-year-old, who has been working as the chief football operations officer at City Football Group (CFG) has been appointed as Manchester United’s brand-new CEO, as confirmed by the club’s official website on Saturday.
The news regarding Berrada emerged as a bolt from the blue for even those within the club, as per The Athletic journalist Sam Lee (via Twitter).
Sam Lee: Omar Berrada was set to replace Txiki Begiristain as Manchester City sporting director one day
On Saturday, it was revealed that the French-Moroccan executive extensively deliberated over the decision, having played a key role in the Manchester City brand’s rise over the years.
Furthermore, it was claimed that those within the club were upset seeing Berrada depart the club.
Now, it has been revealed by journalist Sam Lee that “everybody assumed” at Manchester City that Omar Berrada would emerge as the replacement for Txiki Begiristain as the club’s sporting director, once he decided to move on.
As a result, Berrada’s exit has been described as a “huge, huge shock” for City and a “pretty big loss.”
Losing Omar Berrada is not ideal but it is not the end of the world as well
It is a testament to how well-respected Omar Berrada has been at Manchester City that he was viewed as the natural successor to Txiki Begiristain.
While Pep Guardiola is widely considered as the primary reason behind the Sky Blues’ success, his fellow countryman has also been pivotal, masterminding their recruitment ever since joining the club in October 2012.
But now that Berrada is set to work at Manchester United next season, Manchester City need not be worried, considering there is no shortage of world-class sporting directors in the game.
With Txiki Begiristain not looking to leave City anytime soon as well, the club remains in good hands when it comes to their recruitment.
