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| Txiki Begiristain | |
|---|---|
| Name | Txiki Begiristain |
| Fullname | Josep Maria Begiristain Aregall |
| Birth date | 12 August 1964 |
| Birth place | Beasain, Gipuzkoa, Spain |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Position | Winger |
| Youthclubs1 | Real Sociedad |
| Years1 | 1981–1987 |
| Clubs1 | Real Sociedad |
| Caps1 | 186 |
| Goals1 | 33 |
| Years2 | 1987–1992 |
| Clubs2 | FC Barcelona |
| Caps2 | 156 |
| Goals2 | 39 |
| Years3 | 1992–1995 |
| Clubs3 | Deportivo de La Coruña |
| Caps3 | 92 |
| Goals3 | 18 |
| Totalcaps | 434 |
| Totalgoals | 90 |
| Nationalyears1 | 1987–1994 |
| Nationalteam1 | Spain |
| Nationalcaps1 | 22 |
Txiki Begiristain
Josep Maria Begiristain Aregall, commonly known as Txiki Begiristain, is a Spanish former professional footballer and football director notable for roles at FC Barcelona and Manchester City FC. As a winger and forward he won major honours with Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona, and Deportivo de La Coruña, and later helped construct squads that won domestic and continental trophies. Begiristain's career intersects with figures and institutions across La Liga, UEFA Champions League, and international tournaments involving Spain national football team.
Begiristain was born in Beasain, Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country, and came through the youth system of Real Sociedad, a club with historical ties to Basque identity alongside Athletic Bilbao and CA Osasuna. He debuted in senior football during the early 1980s amid competitive seasons of La Liga, playing against clubs such as Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Teammates and contemporaries included Luis Arconada, Javier Urruticoechea, and later opponents like Hugo Sánchez and Michel Prado. His move to prominence coincided with tactical shifts introduced by coaches like Alfonso Barasoain and managers who emphasized wing play in Spanish football.
Begiristain established himself at Real Sociedad before transferring to FC Barcelona in 1988, joining a squad built by president Josep Lluís Núñez and coached by Johan Cruyff. At Barcelona he formed part of the famed Dream Team alongside Hristo Stoichkov, Romário, Pep Guardiola, Michael Laudrup and Ronald Koeman, contributing in domestic campaigns against rivals Real Madrid CF in the El Clásico and European competitions like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. After leaving Barcelona he signed for Deportivo de La Coruña, participating in the club's rise under managers such as Arsenio Iglesias and alongside players like Mauro Silva, Fran González and Djalminha. Begiristain's club career featured clashes with teams including Valencia CF, Sevilla FC, Real Betis, RCD Mallorca, Villarreal CF and continental fixtures against AC Milan, Juventus FC and Bayern Munich.
Begiristain was capped by the Spain national football team, appearing in qualifying campaigns and tournaments involving managers like Luis Suárez Miramontes and Javier Clemente. He represented Spain in matches against nations such as Italy national football team, Portugal national football team, France national football team, Germany national football team and participated in competitive fixtures linked to FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship qualifying. His international teammates included Andoni Zubizarreta, Emilio Butragueño, Andrés Iniesta (later generations referenced him), and contemporaries like Míchel Salgado and Fernando Hierro.
Begiristain was known for his work-rate, crossing ability, tactical intelligence and consistency on the right flank, attributes compared with other wide players such as Garrincha-era legends and modern wingers like Ryan Giggs and David Beckham in role description. Coaches including Johan Cruyff valued his positional sense and link-up with central attackers such as Hristo Stoichkov and Romário. Analysts and media outlets contrasted his style with pace-oriented wingers from Brazil national football team and technical practitioners from Argentina national football team, noting adaptability to systems used by clubs like FC Barcelona and Deportivo de La Coruña.
After retiring Begiristain moved into scouting and executive roles, becoming sporting director at FC Barcelona and later director of football at Manchester City FC under chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and with manager Pep Guardiola. His recruitment and strategic planning contributed to signings of players connected to clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid CF and Juventus FC, and to successes in competitions such as the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. He worked with executives including Txema del Olmo and agents like Jorge Mendes, navigating transfer windows governed by FIFA regulations and participating in talent pipelines from academies such as La Masia and scouting networks across South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
As a player Begiristain won multiple La Liga titles with FC Barcelona and collected domestic cups like the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España, and contributed to successful Deportivo campaigns that challenged for the league title against Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF. Individually he earned caps for Spain national football team and recognition in media outlets covering tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup cycles. As an executive he helped construct squads that won Premier League titles, FA Cup trophies and progressed in UEFA Champions League finals, collaborating with figures like Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta (as a staff reference) and board members at Manchester City FC.
Begiristain's personal background is rooted in the Basque town of Beasain and the province of Gipuzkoa, with cultural links to Basque institutions such as Eusko Jaurlaritza-era contexts and local clubs like Real Sociedad. He has interacted publicly with football personalities including Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola, Sir Alex Ferguson and administrators from La Liga and the English Football League. Begiristain's life bridges playing, administration and international football networks connecting clubs, federations and competitions across Spain, England, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and beyond.
Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:Spanish footballers Category:FC Barcelona players Category:Real Sociedad players Category:Deportivo de La Coruña players Category:Manchester City F.C. non-playing staff