I played for Man City & with Hugo Viana - he’s already proven to be an ideal Txiki Begiristain replacement

Shay Given openly admits that he hasn’t spoken to Hugo Viana much over the last 20 years, but the ex-Manchester City goalkeeper feels confident his former team-mate is an ideal replacement for Txiki Begiristain.

Given and Viana shared a dressing room for two years at St James’ Park between 2002 and 2004, before the latter’s Newcastle connection ended with back-to-back seasons on loan at Sporting Lisbon and then Valencia. Viana’s time in north-east isn’t remembered particularly fondly by the club’s fans, especially given the Magpies paid a then record fee for a teenager.

That he arrived as a Portuguese champion, earned 21 international caps throughout his career and played in the Champions League for two clubs after leaving Newcastle only leaves fans with a greater sense of regret that his transfer didn’t pan out as expected. There’s no question he had the talent to succeed.

“He was very technical, good on the ball and very relaxed - he had an eye for goal,” Given told Manchester World in an exclusive interview, in association with CopyBet. “We probably didn’t see the best of him to be honest. 

“I don’t know if it was the pace and power of the Premier League that he couldn’t get to grips with but he probably didn’t set the world alight at Newcastle even though he was such a big signing and there was huge excitement.”

Viana’s issues adapting to Newcastle were confined to the pitch it seems, and despite moving to a new country at 19, Given remembers a confident lad who got on well with his team-mates. “He liked a bit of a laugh and a joke. He wasn’t too shy and got involved in the banter and stuff.”

Viana left Newcastle permanently in 2006, two and half years before Newcastle’s long-term goalkeeper moved down the road to Manchester. Now it’s likely that their paths will cross again in the not-too-distant future.

With Viana set to replace Begiristain as City’s director of football next summer, and Given a regular on the TV circuit - including on location at the Etihad from time to time - it’s inevitable he’s bound to bump into his old colleague two decades after they last played together.

“He was a nice fella and I’m looking forward to hopefully catching up with him when he’s in Manchester,” the Irishman said. “To get such a big job, taking over from Txiki, he’s obviously done very well in Portugal, especially with the players he has brought in and the network of people he’s built.

“He’s been doing this role [at Sporting] for a few years now. It’s so important in modern football and it feels like almost a bigger job than some of the players,” he added. “Hugo has gone in early in his career and he has learnt the ropes and knows the role really well. I’m sure he’s really excited to come to Manchester.”

To say Viana has done well is an understatement. The 41-year-old was seen as the standout candidate to replace Begiristain, handpicked over any other figure in world football. There are plenty who would have applied for his role had it come up, but City’s swift actions ensured - as usual - there was little drama surrounding this high-profile change.

And Viana has more than proved his credentials. In hiring Ruben Amorim as manager, reshaping Sporting’s football hierarchy, overseeing a hugely impressive transfer system and, most importantly, leading Sporting to silverware, Viana has helped shape a club that many expect to be the preeminent force of Portuguese football for years to come.

That’s why City felt certain he was the best man to replace Begiristain, someone who knows a thing or two about sporting dynasties. Under the Catalan’s stewardship, City have established themselves not just as England’s top club, but among Europe’s best. It all comes from the practices Begiristain has employed over 12 years in Manchester - Viana has big shoes to fill.

“City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and bring in players from all around the world, so it’s a big job to get,” opined Given. “The news obviously came a little bit out of the blue as Tkixi has been part of the furniture for so long and has done such a good job. 

“You only have to look at the football club during his tenure and it’s been unbelievable - but I suppose all good things come to an end. 

“I've had a few dealings with him over the years and met him at a few matches,” the 48-year-old continued. “He’s always been very hospitable, very charming. He always has time to say hello and he’s obviously a very busy person.

“But for Hugo, he’s got the job on the back of being very good at what he does; they’re not going to bring a novice in.”

A disappointing novice was how Viana was viewed during his first spell in the Premier League and it will be fascinating to see how his second stint pans out. 

It’s not just City and Newcastle fans who are interested but the whole of English football; Viana’s appointment will have a huge impact on the upper echelons of the league one way or another. Everyone is intrigued to see how he fares, although perhaps none more so than Given.