Hugo Viana and Txiki Begiristain meet before Sporting game in Man City boost

Hugo Viana met Manchester City counterpart Txiki Begiristain at the UEFA Youth League game with Sporting on Tuesday afternoon.

Viana is taking over from Begiristain at the end of the season, although he will start doing some work with the club at the end of the winter transfer window in Portugal before starting full-time after the Club World Cup. The hope at the Etihad is that a spell of the two men working together will give the Blues the best possible chance of a smooth change.

Little has been said in public of the news by the clubs, with manager Pep Guardiola saying on Monday he had not yet spoken to Viana. However, the Sporting executive made his way over to Begiristain and City performance director Simon Timson at the Youth League game for a warm greeting and quick chat before moving back to sit on the side of his current employers; they also went inside during the half-time break.

READ MORE: I worked with Hugo Viana and Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP - the risks paid off

READ MORE: 'Accept the reality' - Pep Guardiola hits back over two Man City defeats

Begiristain and Viana can talk whenever they like, but it was a seamless public meeting between the two as they continue with their existing roles. The very fact that both were in attendance is good news for City, with Begiristain demonstrating he remains fully committed to the job while in position and Viana showing the dedication to the academy that has seen Sporting’s youth team do so well in recent years.

The home team ran out 2-0 winners to give Sporting the honours in an even game. Two second-half goals sealed the contest before the hour mark, and a red card for Max Alleyne shortly afterwards for a professional foul as last man ended City hopes.

This was City’s first defeat in nearly two months since they were beaten at home by Inter Milan, but a second loss in four Youth League games does damage their chances of qualifying in a competition they are keen to impress in. The tournament has adopted the league table format that the Champions League has brought in this season, although there are only six games so there is more pressure on City’s remaining games at home to Feyenoord and away to Juventus.