Pep Guardiola has hinted at first Man City transfer plan under Hugo Viana

Txiki Begiristain will take charge of Manchester City recruitment up to and including the Club World Cup, which includes a number of major decisions.

Even if he is joined by his successor Hugo Viana in at least some working capacity from February, Begiristain will be responsible for calls including the future of Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne, their potential replacements, and how to deal with Rodri's long-term absence. There is not going to be an easing into the background before the end of the sporting director's contract.

However, there will still be a lot for Viana to get his teeth into. From the middle of July, it is going to be the former Newcastle man who accompanies new signings in their welcome photos and it could be a big summer ahead.

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It has been a quiet few years for City as far as investing is concerned, with Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan the only two arrivals from the 2024 window and a spend above £200m the previous season balanced out by hundreds of millions of pounds generated in sales - over £500m across the last three years. That period has seen established first team members sold, with City sticking to their mantra that players can leave if they bring a good enough offer to the table.

Guardiola prefers to work with small squads, but it remains a delicate balance to maintain that while keeping a group capable of winning multiple trophies per season. Talks between the manager and the board at the end of the 2024 window seemed to indicate an acceptance that a big summer is needed next year to kick the team and the squad on whoever the manager is.

"Some years you have to be more active in the transfer market, sometimes it isn’t necessary," said Guardiola. "I gave my opinion to the club, the club made their opinion and together that maybe in the future you have to do more."

The midfield is an obvious area where fresh legs may be required, with De Bruyne, Gundogan and Bernardo Silva all over the age of 30 by next season. If Guardiola is to leave, it is also extremely possible that a new manager will want more players to work with as a starting point.

While Begiristain and City will aim to leave the club in the best shape possible for when Viana takes over, from July 2025 it will be his reputation that is judged by the success of recruitment done at the Etihad. If Guardiola is correct, the new man will be given significant backing to make an instant impression.