Manchester City have confirmed former Barcelona man Txiki Begiristain as their new director of football in a restructure at the club.
The Premier League champions have been continually linked with Begiristain [pictured, left] since former Barca Vice-President Ferran Soriano joined the English side in August as their new executive director.
Begiristain spent seven years as sporting director at Barcelona, during that time working closely with Soriano.
In a statement published on their official website on Sunday morning, City have confirmed Begiristain’s arrival as director of football, whilst also confirming Brian Marwood’s move from that role to managing director of the football academy.
“…Txiki Berigiristain will join Manchester City FC as Director of Football,” read the posting.
“Txiki, a former footballer at Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona, Deportivo A Coruna, Urawa Reds and the Spanish national team, held the position of Director of Football at FC Barcelona in the period 2003-2010.
“His new role at Manchester City will see him take responsibility for supporting the first team manager, Roberto Mancini, in first team recruitment and operations.”
The statement also carried quotes from both Soriano and Begiristain. The latter will directly report to the former upon joining the club.
“…I am…very pleased to welcome an individual of Txiki Bergiristain’s calibre to the Club. I have no doubt that together, and in support of Roberto Mancini and the wider football club, they will be a formidable team,” stated Soriano.
“I am very pleased indeed to have been offered such an exciting opportunity,” reflected Begiristain.
“The progress and on field achievements at Manchester City are plain for all to see and I am honoured to have been asked to contribute to its future success.
“I am very much looking forward to working with Brian Marwood, Roberto Mancini and Ferran Soriano in continuing to build a football team and philosophy which will serve Manchester City well in the near and long term future.”
