EXCLUSIVEManchester City land new director of football as former Newcastle flop Hugo Viana is named Txiki Begiristain's successor after heroics at Sporting... and will Ruben Amorim follow him to the Etihad amid Pep Guardiola uncertainty?

Manchester City have agreed a deal for Sporting’s Hugo Viana to take over from Txiki Begiristain as a new era dawns at the Etihad Stadium.

Begiristain, heralded as one of the finest sporting directors in European football, is leaving the Premier League champions at the end of the season.

Mail Sport reported his likely departure in the summer and City have been sounding out potential successors for some time.

Viana, the former Newcastle United midfielder, topped that list after impressing during his six years at Sporting while working with manager Ruben Amorim.