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Manchester City didn't panic when Chief Operating Officer Omar Berrada left the Etihad for Manchester United last season. They won't panic now Txiki Begiristain is set to leave.

And they won't panic if Pep Guardiola departs with his friend and long-time colleague in June or July.

As United continue to reach new levels of farce in their handling of Erik Ten Hag's position, City is a sea of calm - even with completely unknown waters on the horizon.

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With Begiristain set to step down in the summer, and Guardiola likely to follow him unless he changes his mind, City could be heading into a new era next season. Begiristain has been the influential Director of Football behind their greatest period of success over the last 12 years. Guardiola has been the manager for eight of those years and delivered unprecedented silverware.

Good luck to whoever replaces them.

When Berrada swapped East Manchester for Salford, questions were raised over how significant the defection would be. Berrada was credited in playing a key role in Erling Haaland's signing, so a high profile replacement would surely be needed.

Except City knew Berrada was only the top of a hard-working and experienced team, who have taken on his responsibilities without the need for an external appointment. Reports now suggest there will be a similarly-seamless transition for Begiristain's replacement, with a successor said to be chosen and starting in early 2025.

City have known that Begiristain could leave for a long time, so have had time to plan for his replacement. That will give hope that there is a similar plan in place for whenever Guardiola gives notice of his decision to leave, whenever that may be.

As chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said at the end of last season: "This decision on future is always a decision that we will take together, and I have no doubt that we will find, as always, we have done, the right solution that works for Pep and works for us."

Compare that to United, who can't make their minds up if they want to stick with Ten Hag's long-term process or take a glance at the Premier League table and get rid of him. They are lining up potential replacements and discussing his future in London meetings while the manager waits (for the second time this year) to learn his fate.

United are still paying the price for botching their succession plan when Sir Alex Ferguson retired 11 years ago. City will be confident that they won't make the same mistakes.

Not that City need lessons from United in how to manage their club, but even in the face of a significant upheaval of their football management department, the Blues will simply trust the process that has got them this far.