Hugo Viana faces a challenging yet exciting task. Can he learn from the experiences of his predecessors and build an even stronger Manchester City team?
Hugo Viana faces a daunting but intriguing challenge. Can he learn from the experience of his predecessors and build a stronger Man City squad?
Manchester City have suffered a major in their management as Director of Football Txiki Begiristain will leave his role at the end of the season. He will be replaced by Hugo Viana, Sporting Lisbon’s sporting director.
For Viana, it is a glorious but challenging opportunity as he prepares to take on one of the most powerful and coveted roles in world football.
The challenge of rebuilding the midfield
Man City, a force in English football. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, they set a new standard of dominance in the top flight of English football. But no one can avoid the fact that, to maintain its top position, the club needs to prepare for a new era – a transition period, where the team must gradually replace veteran stars and look for young talents to continue the journey of success.
Man City is very strong in the middle. But despite possessing outstanding factors, they still succumb to the “tyrant of time”. Pillars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic are still important factors, but age and fitness problems are raising big questions about their future.
De Bruyne, with consecutive injuries, is gradually losing his inherent stability. Although Silva is still one of the most complete midfielders in the world, finding someone who can completely replace him is also a difficult problem.
Gundogan and Kovacic, with their vast experience, play an important role in stabilizing the midfield, however, they are no longer in their twenties. Building a young, dynamic midfield capable of inheriting the legacy of their predecessors will be one of Viana’s top priorities.
Remember last season, when Man City struggled in big matches partly due to the lack of fitness of their key midfielders. This shows that building a young, dynamic midfield capable of competing in the European arena is very important.
Maintaining Pep Guardiola’s philosophy and style of play is certainly one of the most important requirements for Viana. Guardiola’s philosophy requires not only talent, but also quick integration into the complex tactical system he built. Therefore, the players Viana brings in must not only be outstanding talents, but also have the ability to absorb Guardiola’s subtle “tiki-taka” philosophy.
Silva’s quick integration into Man City’s playing style is a clear demonstration of the importance of choosing the right players. However, not everyone can do the same. Viana’s challenge is to find the “next Silva”, players who not only have individual skills but also the ability to understand and execute Guardiola’s tactical intentions accurately.
In that context, replacing key players like De Bruyne, Silva, Gundogan or Kovacic is not a matter of a day or two. This requires Viana to have a long-term transition strategy, gradually refreshing the squad while maintaining the overall strength of the team.
Although City’s current midfield is gradually aging, they still have stars ready to step up to the big stage. Spanish player Rodri has proven himself to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. He not only does a good job of holding the defense but is also the “heart” of City’s attacks.
In addition, Phil Foden, considered the best product of the club’s academy, is gradually asserting himself in the creative midfield. With his exquisite ball control and versatility in playing style, Foden is a bright future for the team.
Rico Lewis and James McAtee are also young players expected to play an important role in City’s midfield in the future. These names, along with additions from the transfer market, will be the foundation for Man City to rebuild the midfield for the coming years.
However, the more pressing challenge Viana faces immediately upon taking over is finding a midfielder to back up Rodri. The Spaniard is currently a key link in Man City’s transition from defence to.
However, relying on Rodri is also a big for Guardiola. In matches where the former Atletico Madrid star cannot play, “The Cityzens” have difficulty maintaining control of the game.
Finding a defensive midfielder who can support or replace Rodri is essential, and could become the first task Viana needs to tackle in the summer transfer window of 2025. Bringing in a player who can share the burden with Rodri will not only help maintain the stability of the team, but also help prolong the Spaniard’s peak playing time.
Expectations and pressure are high
Having taken over as director of football at one of the world’s top clubs, Viana will face a lot of pressure. His predecessor, Txiki Begiristain, left a great legacy by building a championship-winning squad and helping Guardiola recruit top stars.
That also means Viana has a tough road ahead of him. The expectations from the fans and the club’s board are huge, especially in rebuilding the squad so that Man City can continue to dominate world football.
Under the expectations of the fans and the board, Viana needs to prove his ability to build a strong Man City squad in the future. His experience at Sporting Lisbon shows that he has the ability to spot and develop young talent. However, the Premier League is a competitive league where teams are always looking to surpass each other.
To maintain their number one position, Man City need a strong and flexible squad. Viana will face the challenge of not only bringing in new stars but also retaining the current mainstays and building a squad with depth.
The summer transfer window will be the first measure of Viana’s ability. Can he bring in stars who suit Guardiola’s style of play and meet the expectations of the fans? The answer to this question will determine the future of Man City in the coming years.