**Manchester City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain to Depart at Season's End**

Manchester City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, is preparing to leave his post at the conclusion of this season. The 60-year-old Spaniard had initially intended to step down from daily operations upon reaching the age of 55. However, his commitment to the City project and strong professional relationship with manager Pep Guardiola prompted him to remain in his role for an additional five years, celebrating his 60th birthday in August. His departure plan has been fully endorsed by the club’s hierarchy.

City has reportedly already found and reached an agreement with Begiristain’s successor, who is expected to commence duties in early 2025. Begiristain himself played a pivotal role in the recruitment process of his replacement and will continue to manage his responsibilities throughout a six-month handover period to ensure a smooth transition.

Begiristain and Guardiola’s connection dates back to their playing days at Barcelona. When Begiristain served as Barcelona's technical director from 2003 to 2010, he significantly influenced Guardiola’s career by backing him as Frank Rijkaard's successor in 2008, over other prominent candidates such as Jose Mourinho. Guardiola has often credited Begiristain for his appointment, once stating, "Txiki is the key to all of this. When nobody else would take a risk on me, he was the one who insisted on my appointment to the first team."

In 2012, Begiristain joined Manchester City, where he reunited with CEO Ferran Soriano, another former Barcelona executive. Upon Guardiola’s arrival at City in 2016, he emphasized Begiristain's crucial role in his decision to join the club, remarking, "If Txiki worked for Chelsea, I would probably have called Chelsea."

Begiristain’s departure marks the end of an era for Manchester City, where he has been an instrumental figure in the club's recent successes and the ongoing efforts to remain at the pinnacle of European football.