- Fernandes has given his opinion on a surprise candidate who could replace Guardiola
- Begiristain will be replaced by football sports director Hugo Viana next year
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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has expressed his support for Sporting manager Ruben Amorim as Pep Guardiola’s successor at Manchester City.
The winds of change are blowing at the Etihad as the eight-time Premier League champions confirmed that Txiki Begiristain will leave his role as the club’s director of football at the end of the season.
Begiristain’s departure date also coincides with the expiration of Guardiola’s contract.
The two share a close relationship, having worked together at Barcelona before City and some have wondered whether Begiristain’s pending departure will influence Guardiola’s next move.
City have confirmed that Begiristain will be replaced by football sporting director Hugo Viana.
Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain to leave at the end of the season
City manager Guardiola’s contract expires at the end of the season and there are no signs of an extension
Sports coach Rubén Amorim has the support of Bruno Fernandes to succeed Guardiola
If Guardiola follows Begiristain out the door, Viana could bring a familiar face to the Etihad: Sporting coach Ruben Amorim.
It is a move that Fernandes, who spent three seasons at Sporting before moving to United in January 2020, would approve.
“Since Mr. Amorim arrived at Sporting, it has been one of the teams that best plays football,” Fernandes told CNN Portugal.
‘They have been consistent, the signings have been right and they are in a very good moment. It is a very well prepared team.
‘In relation to Amorim, this shows that he is ready at this moment. Coaching Sporting and winning championships is not easy, Sporting went 20 years without winning championships and Amorim arrived and already won two. This shows that the job has been done well.
“Whether he could do the same in England, Spain or anywhere else, you’ll never know until you get there, but I’m sure his qualities are there for everyone to see.”
Fernandes never crossed paths with Amorim at Sporting as his move to United came two months before the 39-year-old’s arrival.
Amorim, who spent nine years as a player at Sporting’s bitter rivals Benfica, led Sporting to a Primeira Liga title in his first full season in charge, having only lost once in the league.
Football sports director Hugo Viana, announced as Begiristain’s replacement
Fernandes believes Amorim, who has done wonders for Sporting, will fit well at City
The 39-year-old has guided Sporting to two Portuguese league titles in his last four seasons.
He helped Sporting win the Portuguese league once again last season, a notable feat given that the club’s last league title before his arrival was in 2002.
As coach of Sporting, Amorim has faced Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham and has a record of two wins, three draws and one defeat against City.
Sporting sit first in the league this season with eight wins from as many games, having scored a staggering 27 goals and conceded just twice.
