Txiki Begiristain, the architect behind Manchester City’s rise and the man who brought Pep Guardiola to the Premier League, is expected to leave the club at the end of the season, sources told The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Sam Lee.
The departure of City’s director of football could convince Guardiola to end his time as manager of the defending Premier League champions, according to The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson.
Begiristain joined City in 2012 after working with Guardiola at Barcelona, where he served as technical director from 2003-10. The two have a close relationship and reportedly discuss strategy daily.
While City have reportedly lined up a replacement for Begiristain, Guardiola’s future is less certain. Lee reports that Begiristain and Guardiola had planned as recently as last season to leave City at the same time.
Guardiola’s contract expires at the end of the campaign, with City fans imploring the manager to renew his deal.
“We want you to stay,” read a banner commissioned by supporters before Saturday’s win over Fulham.
The Spaniard has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the Champions League since moving to City in 2016.
