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Manchester City receive Txiki Begiristain replacement blow as 50-year-old says ‘NO’ to Etihad Stadium job offer

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Premier League champions Manchester City have received a blow to their plans of replacing Txiki Begiristain in his role of sporting director at the Etihad Stadium.

The former Barcelona player and long-standing Manchester City director of football is expected to bring an end to a 13-year stay at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the ongoing season.

It comes after an extended time with the club, having originally planned to leave his post upon turning 55-years-old. Having turned 60 in August, Begiristain is understood to have extended his stay as he enjoyed working on the City project and alongside Pep Guardiola.

With Manchester City fully aware of the situation and all parties maintaining an open dialogue over Begiristain’s future, the club have been able to draft up a list of potential replacements from across the game.

With some options more familiar than others, it is now understood that one name has been ruled out entirely, having received no interest in the role being taken up by a figure currently operating within the City Football Group.

According to the information of Esports RAC1 this week, Girona’s current director of football Quique Cárcel has said ‘NO’ to Manchester City and the possibility of becoming Txiki Begiristain’s replacement at the Etihad Stadium.

It is explained that the 50-year-old received an offer from the reigning Premier League champions, but has turned it down in order to continue leading Girona’s ongoing and ambitious sporting project in La Liga and European competition.

Elsewhere, FC Porto’s Andoni Zubizarreta is understood to have admirers within the Etihad Stadium, having worked as Pep Guardiola’s director football during his stay with FC Barcelona, although it remains to be seen if he has been spoken to.

Most recently, and according to the information of Fabrizio Romano, Sporting CP’s current director of football, Hugo Viana is understood to be Manchester City’s ‘favourite candidate’ to replace Txiki Begiristain in 2025.

The current plan is for the incoming director of football to join Manchester City in early 2025, taking on the position over six months working alongside Begiristain to ease the transition in the build-up to an important summer transfer window next year.

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