Man City handed brilliant Hugo Viana verdict from Portugal as 'loyalty' comment made

Manchester City have confirmed Hugo Viana will succeed Txiki Begiristain as the club's new director of football from next summer.

Begiristain will leave his post following the club's involvement in FIFA Club World Cup next summer. A club statement reads: "Manchester City can confirm that Txiki Begiristain will step away from his full-time role as Director of Football at the end of the 2024/25 season.

"Following a trophy-laden twelve years at the Etihad Stadium, Txiki will leave his current post. He will be succeeded by Hugo Viana of Sporting CP. Viana will begin his full-time role in the summer of 2025, but will collaborate with Txiki in the preceding months to ensure a smooth transition."

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The Portuguese has been with Sporting Clube de Portugal since 2018 and was behind some of the major transfers for the club. Viana led up on key transfers including the sales of Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes, Joao Palhinha and Pedro Porro.

He was also key in securing a deal for prolific goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres from Coventry City last summer. As a highly-rated figure in Portugal, MEN Sport has taken a look at some of the things said about the 41-year-old before he embarks on his first adventure outside of his homeland.

Ruben Amorim

The Sporting boss said: "All the coaches should be lucky enough to work with Hugo Viana. Not only because of his competence but because of the loyalty he has with the coaches.

"Viana has proven several times that he can do magic. We fight with clubs that are stronger than us financially. The connection I have with him is much more than work.

"It's like he's a family member and he's always ready to help the manager and the club. His role has been crucial. I speak for myself when I say Viana is essential. He plays a fundamental role and does his job like no one else."

Frederico Varandas

The Sporting president said: "We believe a lot in the work process, when I talk about this recognition, I'm not just talking about the manager. Hugo Viana is a fundamental piece and I'm very proud of this structure."

Domingos Paciencia

The former FC Porto striker told A Bola: "I think his work is in line with what has been happening at Sporting. The merit, of course, does not just belong to Hugo, but also to an entire structure, but his role is fundamental because he is always aware of what you can do in advance [to get ahead of clubs].

"He has that ability and he also has the ability in the selection criteria when it comes to choosing players, and the fact that he, himself was a player, he also understands their point of view, which is very important. Hugo is someone who is very willing to take care of things and has the ability to communicate with a lot of people.

"Work always goes way beyond visibility and the team's performance, but it's work that has to be done and his work has attracted a lot of attention. It's natural that anyone in football wants to have competent people and that can contribute a lot in terms of quality to the teams."

Rui Fonte

The former Fulham man told Radio Renascenca (via O Jogo): "With the resources he will have, he could do a brilliant job, considering what he's done here with merit, due to the relationship he built with the president and Ruben [Amorim]. And now, with so many resources at his disposal [at City], he will be able to do even more. Something rare was built here and if he manages to do it again, to have this harmony with the president and the coach, he will already be half way to success.

"Competence is not just for the players and coaches. Here we do a lot with little. I had the opportunity to see other realities and it reflects our work. They also start to look at the people who lead, not just the players and coaches."