Hugo Viana certainly has a huge task on his hands in succeeding Txiki Begiristain as Manchester City’s sporting director.
Last Friday, it was reported that Begiristain played a role in Viana’s appointment at Manchester City.
Ruben Amorim gave an insight into Hugo Viana by claiming that “he wants to win more than anyone at Man City.”
Bernardo Silva also delivered his verdict on Hugo Viana by describing his appointment as a “positive.”
Txiki Begiristain is responsible for helping Manchester City sign some of their best players in recent history such as Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Ederson Moraes, Rodri and Erling Haaland to name a few.
Begiristain is expected to help Hugo Viana at Manchester City when he begins his role at the club in early 2025 until the end of the ongoing season.
- Who is Hugo Viana? Get familiar with the favourite to replace Txiki Begiristain as Man City Director of Football
How Txiki Begiristain signs players at Man City for Hugo Viana to follow
The Spaniard is one of the best sporting directors in Premier League history and perhaps the game has ever seen.
The 60-year-old has played a decisive role in Barcelona and Manchester City’s successes during his respective spells at both clubs.
It has been revealed by The Athletic that Txiki Begiristain’s modus operandi when building a squad is to ensure every position has two players who can play there.
Furthermore, the veteran ideally wishes for the players in question to have an age gap.
For instance, in the case of the number 10 role at the Etihad Stadium, where Phil Foden (24) can succeed Kevin De Bruyne (33) for years to come or at right-back, where Rico Lewis (19) can emerge as Kyle Walker’s (34) long-term heir.
The intention at City is to ensure that succession plans can take place internally.
How well Hugo Viana adheres to Manchester City’s model is the question.
Viana’s best deals at Sporting named ahead of Man City move
The Sporting CP director of football is one of the best in the business.
Viana has managed to pull off several signings and sales that showcase how shrewd he is in the transfer market.
Manchester City supporters would be hoping the former Newcastle United midfielder can bring this same level of expertise once he replaces Txiki Begiristain. Here is a list of Viana’s best moves at Sporting CP.
| HUGO VIANA’S BEST TRANSFERS AT SPORTING | FEE |
| VIKTOR GYOKERES FROM COVENTRY CITY | £16.6 million |
| BRUNO FERNANDES TO MANCHESTER UNITED | £47 million |
| PEDRO PORRO FROM MAN CITY | £7 million |
| NUNO MENDES TO PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN | £31.6 million |
| MANUEL UGARTE FROM FAMILICAO | £5.4 million |
| MORTEN HJULMAND FROM LECCE | £14.9 million |
| IVAN FRESNEDA FROM REAL VALLADOLID | £7.4 million |
| RUBEN VINAGRE FROM WOLVES | £8.3 million |
| JOAO PALHINHA TO FULHAM | £16.6 million |
| ABDUL FATAWU TO LEICESTER CITY | £14.1 million |
There is clearly a long list of excellent incomings and outgoings that Hugo Viana has been responsible for at Sporting.
As a result, it seems as if as things stand, Viana seems to be a sporting director who would find it relatively seamless to take over Begiristain’s strategy.
Txiki Begiristain’s transfer model is certainly one that could be continue to be the recipe for success when it comes to Manchester City if Hugo Viana follows in his footsteps.
