It is claimed a replacement for Pep Guardiola has been identified amid some expected changes in the Manchester City hierarchy.
With Guardiola's contract set to expire at the end of the season, the manager's future at the club is the subject of growing speculation.
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According to reports, City director of football Txiki Begiristain is set to step down from his role at the end of the season.
The chief's impending exit has inadvertently cast doubt on Guardiola's long-term future as the tactician has previously confessed that his decision to renew his contract at City in the past was mainly down to his relationship with Begiristain, as per the Metro.
Speaking in 2021, Guardiola said of his good friend: "One of the reasons I extended my contract two times is because Txiki is here. We work together incredibly well. When we win, we try to analyse why. When we lose, we try to analyse why. We don't judge the other one. We both work for the best for this club."
Sporting CP director Hugo Viana is reportedly the favourite candidate to succeed Begiristain at the Etihad, and the former Newcastle United player is said to have a certain coach in mind to replace Guardiola should the Spaniard leave.
According to Record, Viana will push to appoint Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim as City manager if he lands the football director role.
Amorim joined Sporting in March 2020, and with his contract due to expire in June 2026, the 39-year-old has won six titles so far with the club, including two Portuguese Primeira Liga titles.
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Earlier this year, he was linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, while both Manchester United and Chelsea were also reported to have considered his appointment.