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Pep Guardiola's decision on his Manchester City future will not be impacted by the announcement that Txiki Begiristain will leave the club.
The director of football has been present at the Etihad since 2012, long before Guardiola rocked up, but has confirmed he will leave his role come the end of the season. The 60-year-old has remained in his position far longer than planned having originally stated he would do it until he was 55.
Guardiola arrived under him and the Catalan too faces a decision over his own future with his contract expiring at the end of the season. Despite the pair having a close bond the exit of Begiristain will not influence the manager's decision, reports the Telegraph.
The City boss and his director of football had also enjoyed a hugely successful relationship at Barcelona before teaming up for a second time in England.
Guardiola has previously lavished praise on his director of football, who has been by his side throughout his success in the Premier League. He said: "Txiki has been massively important at this club. He was here before I arrived and was stable in the club. He has been really important in these years and part of the enormous success we’ve had in terms of results and many things, he has been so important.
"I do ask him to take responsibility with the media, talk a bit, but he’s so shy. He wants to be behind the scenes so all the shots and the weapons are directed to me. But it was the same in Barcelona. He's a close friend and we’ve known each other 25 or 30 years. He’s calm and that balance helps us work perfectly together."
City are understood to have already identified Begisitrain’s replacement and are ready for him to start in early 2025 - thus affording him the benefit of a six-month handover to ensure a smooth transition. Begiristain has played a major role in the recruitment of his successor.
Guardiola recently made history by winning the Premier League for a fourth straight time - something no manager had ever done in English football. Whilst in Manchester he also became the only manager to win the treble on two occasions.
The City boss suggested, following the title win back in May, that this could be his final season at the helm. He has spent nearly nine years at the club - longer than any of his previous tenures - but did admit in pre-season that no decision has been made on his next move.
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