Manchester City's incoming Director of Football is already holding a direct line of communication with his new colleagues at the Etihad Stadium, it has been revealed.
The Premier League champions confirmed last month that after 12 years with the club, Txiki Begiristain would be bringing an end to his tenure as Manchester City's Director of Football following a stellar period in the role.
Many supporters of the club regard Begiristain as playing a crucial role in the remarkable successes of Manchester City since the takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, and being hugely responsible for the recruitment of Pep Guardiola as head coach.
However, having first considered leaving his position as Manchester City's sporting director five years ago, and extending his stay as a result of the project itself and enjoyment at working alongside Guardiola, Begiristain will now leave at the end of the ongoing season.
City moved swiftly to ensure their next steps and Txiki Begiristain himself is understood to have played a role in identifying and recruiting the club's next Director of Football, with Sporting Lisbon's Hugo Viana being the successful applicant.
Speaking during a recent pre-match press conference, Etihad Stadium boss Pep Guardiola confirmed that while he has personally not spoken with the Portuguese official to date, Viana is already in touch with Manchester City.
"No, not yet. Not yet," Guardiola said when asked whether he had spoken with the 41-year-old, who is due to replace Txiki Begiristain from the end of the ongoing 2024/25 season.
"I know he's in touch with the club, but not yet," Guardiola closed, he as continues to weigh up his own future at Manchester City in the final months of his contract, with the understanding being that the change of sporting director will not influence his decision.
For now, Manchester City will continue to await a final decision from manager Pep Guardiola on his long-term future at the club, with the Catalan's current contract set to expire at the end of the ongoing season.
While it was originally believed that Txiki Begiristain and Guardiola would bring an end to their stay at the club at the same time, it is now understood that the former's confirmed exit will have no direct impact on the Manchester City manager's long-awaited decision.