Pep Guardiola has opened up about Manchester City’s transfer plans ahead of the upcoming windows, with significant changes on the horizon in the club’s sporting director position.
City confirmed earlier this year that Txiki Begiristain, their long-serving sporting director, will depart at the end of this season after 12 years at the club.
Begiristain, who has been a key figure in City’s rise to prominence, had considered leaving for several years but chose to stay on due to his strong partnership with Guardiola and the success of the club’s project.
Begiristain’s departure will make way for Hugo Viana, currently the sporting director at Sporting CP, who will take over in 2025. The club has confirmed that both Begiristain and Viana will work closely together in the lead-up to the changeover, ensuring a smooth transition in the role.
Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola addressed how the transition would affect the club’s transfer strategy. “I think Txiki is doing the same as we have done, thinking about what we can do in the winter or next summer.
He will be involved in the transfer window,” said the City manager. “I think talking with the club, with Hugo, especially when he finishes his part in Lisbon, and doing the same thing they’ve done.”
Guardiola also highlighted that while there will be changes in the personnel, the club is prepared for the transition. “There will be changes just for the fact that the persons are different, and of course, the people who have been here a long time will have to help Hugo settle in, understand the team, and understand the club. It’s going to happen.”
When asked about Begiristain’s involvement in City’s plans for the January transfer window and whether there would be a major rebuild in 2025, Guardiola confirmed that the club would act if necessary.
“The club, I think from what we spoke about, in the winter, we are going to do something if we really, really need it or if we believe we can find something, not just for four or five months, but for the next three or four years,” Guardiola explained.
However, Guardiola acknowledged that January moves are typically difficult. “In the winter, it’s more difficult to do, but we will see,” he said. “Not just for that situation, I don’t know how many times we’ve gone in the winter market in recent years, maybe with Aymeric Laporte years ago.”
Guardiola made it clear that City does not typically look to make mid-season signings unless there are exceptional circumstances. “The circumstances this season are special, and we have to see if we need to do something,” Guardiola said.
“If not, we’ll wait for the summer, thinking about how we finish the season, how the players perform, knowing that we have short holidays next summer, and next year we will be here and we have to see what we need to do.”
Guardiola’s remarks suggest that while City will remain flexible in the upcoming transfer windows, the real focus will be on the summer of 2025, where a potential rebuild could take place depending on how the season unfolds.
