Txiki

Manchester City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain paid tribute to the “inspirational” Ilkay Gundogan after the midfielder’s long-expected free transfer to Barcelona was confirmed.

Dan Ashworth, Txiki Begiristain and Luis Campos are also believed to be in the frame for the job.

Of the four men seen smiling in the above photo, Cruyff is no longer around and the other two – Pep and former Barca technical secretary Txiki Begiristain – are in Manchester now.

City’s hierarchy - including chief exec Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain - met the day after the game to discuss what action they could take.

Guardiola left the situation in the hands of Sterling’s representative and City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain and it appears the protracted negotiations have now been successful.