“He’ll do a great job” – Director backed for Manchester City success if confirmed as Txiki Begiristain replacement

Hugo Viana has been backed to do a great job at Manchester City, should he be appointed as Txiki Begiristain’s replacement next year.

Rui Fonte has been speaking about the Sporting Club de Portugal director of football, who has this week been linked with a potential move to Manchester City, with his comments relayed by O Jogo.

Begiristain is set to leave his role as sporting director at Manchester City next summer after 13 years at the club following his seven years at Barcelona.

His period in charge has been one of unprecedented success, turning the club into one of the major players in European football, the dominant team in English football and a global powerhouse.

He will be leaving behind huge shoes that will need to be filled and reports this week have named Viana as the favourite among the current candidates being considered.

Viana has been doing impressive work at the Portuguese club since his arrival as director of football in September 2018, establishing the club as a side who are particularly smart when it comes to transfer business.

That’s apparently put him on the radar of the Premier League champions and Rui Fonte, who played for Sporting as well as Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Fulham, believes he’ll do a great job if appointed.

“With the resources he will have at his disposal he will be able to do a great job,” he said.

“If you have already done a good job here at Sporting… And with merit, due to the relationship you managed to create with the president and Rúben.

“And, now, with so many resources at his disposal he will do even more. Something rare has been built here and if he manages to do this, this harmony with the president and coach, he will already be halfway there [to success].”