(Credit: Imago / Getty Images)

Ben Palmer

Fri 1 August 2025 13:58, UK

Txiki Begiristain has left Man City after 13 dominant years but things have not always gone smoothly for the club’s former director of football.

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The ex-Barcelona forward joined the Sky Blues in 2012 after seven years as director of football at his former club.

Txiki’s arrival in Manchester was not an instant success, as the Sky Blues went trophy-less in his first season following a series of transfer mistakes.

Javi Garcia, Matija Nastastic, and Jack Rodwell were the main signings of the summer, and each of that trio struggled to leave a lasting impact on the club.

Fernandinho enjoyed a remarkable spell at Man City.

(Credit: Getty Images)

But just one season later, Fernandinho and Jesus Navas joined Man City as the club claimed a Premier League and League Cup double.

13 years on from his arrival, the Sky Blues now have a bulging trophy case and are without a doubt one of the best clubs in the world.

(Credit: Imago)

The fee looked like a solid amount for a player struggling to earn starting minutes during his time at City, but two seasons later, it’s clear Txiki got that one horribly wrong.

Winding back the clock a few seasons leads us to Kalvin Phillips.

The ex-Leeds United man was coming off the back of two solid seasons in the Premier League and was England’s starting central midfielder at the 2020 Euros.

City paid £45million [Sky Sports] for his services in 2022, and in that time, the 29-year-old has made 31 appearances for the Sky Blues, spending two seasons out on loan at West Ham and Ipswich Town.

(Credit: Getty Images)

Joining Rodwell on the miss list are the two players Txiki pinned his flag to in the 2014/15 window: Eliaquim Mangala and Wilfried Bony.

The pair cost an eye-watering £66m between them, and after a combined 108 appearances, Txiki managed to recoup £12m [Sky Sports] for the Ivorian striker, whilst the French defender would leave the Sky Blues for nothing after five years in Manchester.

He’s already been mentioned, so it makes sense to start with Txiki’s first hit: Fernandinho.

The bruising Brazilian midfielder arrived with the club coming off the back of a second-placed finish and reeling from a disastrous 2012/13 window.

Fernandinho spent nine trophy-laden years with Man City, claiming an astonishing 11 trophies and even earning himself a place in the PFA team of the year in the 2018/19 season.

However, whilst the 2012/13 window was a horror show, Txiki really came into his own in 2015/16.

Kevin De Bruyne’s career statistics at Man City.

(Credit: Imago)

The Spaniard took two big risks, bringing Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling to Man City for a combined £98m [transfermarkt].

The Belgian midfielder ran the show for City during his decade at the club, and is a bona fide Premier League all-timer, but at the time, many had their doubts after his less-than-stellar stint with Chelsea.

Raheem Sterling has endured a difficult few seasons but he was vital to Man City’s success.(Credit Imago)

Sterling, meanwhile, developed from a raw wide man into Guardiola’s greatest weapon, featuring in a variety of positions and always excelling, despite missing a few easy tap-ins here and there.

Just two years later, Ederson joined and whilst the Brazilian shot-stopper has had his critics, the former Benfica man has been a colossus for Guardiola, bringing about a culture shift that now sees every goalkeeper in world football judged on their ability with their feet.

And the final hit on our list goes to none other than Jack Grealish.

Jack Grealish’s stats during his time at Man City.
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