Man United captain Bruno Fernandes backs surprise Pep Guardiola succession plan as Man City chief Txiki Begiristain departs

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has thrown his support behind Sporting manager Ruben Amorim succeeding Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The winds of change are blowing at the Etihad as the eight-time Premier League champions confirmed Txiki Begiristain would step down from his role as the club’s director of football at the end of the season.

Begiristain’s departure date also coincides with the expiration of Guardiola’s contract.

The two share a close relationship having worked together at Barcelona before City and some have pondered whether Begiristain’s pending exit will influence Guardiola’s next move.

City have confirmed Begiristain will be replaced by Sporting director of football Hugo Viana.

City boss Guardiola is out of contract at the end of the season with no sign of an extension

Sporting manager Ruben Amorim has been backed by Bruno Fernandes to succeed Guardiola

Should Guardiola follow Begiristain out the exit door, Viana could bring a familiar face with him to the Etihad in the form of Sporting manager Ruben Amorim.

It is a move that Fernandes, who spent three seasons at Sporting before he moved to United in January 2020, would approve.

‘Since Mr Amorim arrived at Sporting, it has been one of the teams to practice better football,’ Fernandes told CNN Portugal.

‘They have been consistent, the signings have been right and they are in a very good moment. It’s a very well-prepared team.

‘In relation to Amorim, it shows at this moment he is prepared. Coaching Sporting and winning championships is not easy, Sporting went 20 years without winning championships and Amorim arrived and has already won two. This shows that the work has been done well.

‘If he could manage to do the same in England, Spain or anywhere else, you will never know until you get there, but I am sure his qualities are there for everyone to see.’

Fernandes never crossed paths with Amorim at Sporting given his move to United came two months prior to the 39-year-old’s arrival.

Amorim, who spent nine years as a player at Sporting’s bitter rivals Benfica, steered Sporting to a Primeira Liga title in his first full season at the helm as they lost just once in the league.

Sporting director of football Hugo Viana has been locked in as Begiristain’s replacement

Fernandes believes Amorim, who has worked wonders at Sporting, will fit in well at City

The 39-year-old has guided Sporting to two Portuguese league titles in their last four seasons

He helped Sporting win the Portuguese league once more last season, a remarkable feat given the club’s last league title before his arrival was in 2002.

As Sporting boss, Amorim has faced Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham and boasts a record of two wins, three draws and a defeat against City.

Sporting sit first in the league this season with eight wins from as many games having scored a staggering 27 goals and conceded just twice.