Vilanova praises City capture

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has called upon the club to recognise the contribution of former technical director Txiki Begiristain.

Begiristain joined Manchester City as their new director of football on Sunday, becoming City’s second recent capture from Barca after Ferran Sorriano joined as chief executive over the summer.

And Vilanova, who succeeded Pep Guardiola in the Camp Nou hotseat after a spell as assistant manager, has highlighted the 48-year-old’s role in the Spanish club’s successes

“I congratulate Manchester City with the signing of Txiki, we must recognise the work he did here,” he told reporters.

“Barcelona’s achievements are his too. The titles we’ve won are, in part, are thanks to his work with the team and with Pep Guardiola.”

Begiristain, who brought the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho and Daniel Alves to Camp Nou during his tenure, will be tasked with leading City’s recruitment policy.