Source: City dir. Begiristain to exit at season’s end

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain is set to leave the club at the end of the season, a source has told ESPN.

Begiristain has been a key part of the club’s success since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2012.

Along with fellow former Barcelona executive Ferran Soriano, he played a key role in appointing Pep Guardiola — who managed Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 — as City manager in 2016. Begiristain’s departure will raise further questions about Guardiola’s future.

The Catalan coach is under contract until the end of the season and has so far refused to be drawn on his plans beyond the summer.

A source has told ESPN that Begiristain will have a hand in picking his successor as director of football at City.