• Premier League

City appoint ex-Barca man Begiristain

ESPN staff
October 28, 2012
Txiki Begiristain will take over recruitment duties © Getty Images
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Manchester City have appointed Txiki Begiristain, the former Barcelona technical director, as their director of football.

He will oversee a shake-up in player recruitment and assist the City manager Roberto Mancini with first-team operations.

"I am very pleased indeed to have been offered such an exciting opportunity," Begiristain said to City's official website.

"The progress and on-field achievements at Manchester City are plain for all to see and I am honoured to have been asked to contribute to [the club's] future success."

Football administrator Brian Marwood was responsible for signing players, but has now become managing director of the new City Football Academy, which has been backed by a £200m investment as City seek to establish themselves as the preeminent force in procuring and developing players.

Over the summer, Mancini expressed frustration at the club's inability to secure his preferred transfer targets, such as Robin van Persie, who joined Manchester United.

Ferran Soriano, City's chief executive and formerly of Barcelona, masterminded Begiristain's appointment.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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