Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City's director of football, will depart the Premier League club at the end of the season, ESPN reports.

Begiristain has been an integral part of Manchester City's success since joining the club in 2012.

He was instrumental in the appointment of Pep Guardiola as manager in 2016.
Begiristain's exit will create further concerns about Guardiola's future.

Guardiola is under contract till the end of the season and has so far declined to comment on his plans after the summer.

In addition to selecting Guardiola, Begiristain was instrumental in acquiring Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

Begiristain and Guardiola are close acquaintances from their time in Barcelona.