Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his sadness at the impending exit of the club's director of football as speculation grows about the Catalan coach's own future with the team.

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has spoken for the first time since the club announced that their director of football, Txiki Begiristain, will be leaving next year. Guardiola first worked with Begiristain during his time at Barcelona and both men enjoyed a fine friendship.

Pep Guardiola named the only team he wants Manchester City to avoid in this season’s Champions League. Guardiola's men crashed out of last year’s Champions League at the hands of eventual champions Real Madrid. However, City entered this term’s competition among the favourites, with the club hoping to claim a second European crown in three seasons.