Txiki Begiristain will return to Manchester City for the first time since leaving as director football at this weekend’s derby.
The former Spain international spent 13 years overseeing unprecedented success at the Etihad Stadium and was a crucial component to the appointment of Pep Guardiola, as well as a raft of successful signings.
Begiristain is a guest of the club for Sunday’s clash with Manchester United and will have an open-ended invite to attend matches.
Ex-Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana took over from Begiristain in the summer as City spent big on six new faces – including goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford.
‘Hugo has been a top selection,’ Begiristain said. ‘I would say that he is quite close to what I feel I am. He is so calm but he is also very decisive.
‘In the winter transfer window he couldn’t be here, he was at Sporting but I’ve seen it in the last few months – the criteria he has and the way he sees football. The decisions on players – I think we are in top hands.’
The 61-year-old has moved back to San Sebastien and plans to split time between watching Real Sociedad, Barcelona and City.
Txiki Begiristain will return to Manchester City this weekend to watch the derby
Hugo Viana (left, with Mike Summerbee) took over the reins on a full time basis this summer
‘Sociedad is where I grew up, second one is Barcelona of course and then it’s going to be City,’ he said.
‘I’ll see how I feel watching. I’m going to choose the right ones and just enjoy watching football. I’ve been watching the best football in the world – both at Barcelona and Manchester City so I’ll choose only the good games.
‘We love Manchester. People talk badly about the city before you go but once you come it’s such a pleasure. The city centre is quite small – everything is there.
‘I lived in Barcelona and London but people in Manchester what you see is what you are and that’s what I like.’