Changes on the Way for Youth Setup
Manchester City's academy coaching structure is set for a significant summer reshuffle, with several key figures moving on or stepping up across the youth ranks.
New first-team boss Enzo Maresca used his first official club interview on Monday to emphasise the importance of a long-term strategy, calling for bravery when integrating young talent into the senior squad. The club is now managing the transition carefully to maintain the methodology that has defined their dominance of English youth football in recent years.
City's production line has been a lucrative one, generating first-team talents like Rico Lewis, Nico O'Reilly, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, while also helping fund marquee signings such as the £116m purchase of Elliot Anderson.
According to MailSport's Jack Gaughan, Elite Development Squad coach Ben Wilkinson is set to leave after eight years to become an assistant at Derby County. Wilkinson worked closely with the likes of Lewis and O'Reilly during his time at the club.
Stepping into his shoes will be current Under-18s manager Oliver Reiss, who earned the promotion after guiding his side to a league and FA Youth Cup double last season. Reiss's move will see Lauris Coggin take over the Under-18s, while Academy Head of Coaching Jan-Moritz Lichte has opted to become assistant manager at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Sporting director Hugo Viana's commitment to promoting from within is designed to insulate City's development model from any systemic shock caused by the coaching changes.