Manchester City’s academy is buzzing with activity, both on and off the pitch, as they embark on the new season under the guidance of two fresh coaches.
Ben Wilkinson has moved up from leading the Under-18s to taking charge of the Under-21s, stepping into the role vacated by Brian Barry-Murphy, who departed over the summer. Despite a rocky start with a 3-1 loss to Liverpool in their first league game and a draw followed by a shootout defeat at Chesterfield in the EFL Trophy, the team is looking to find its footing. Meanwhile, Oliver Reiss, who comes with an impressive background from Hertha Berlin, has taken over the Under-18s, guiding them to a draw in their season opener against Leeds.
Among the standout stories from the academy is the continued rise of Jacob Wright. The young holding midfielder, who made his debut for City’s first team last season, has caught the eye of Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff with his strong performances and work ethic in training. Wright, along with fellow talent Nico O’Reilly, joined the first team on their summer tour and is expected to stay with the squad this season rather than being sent out on loan. This decision allows him to continue learning from seasoned players like Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, and Mateo Kovacic, even though his first-team appearances may be limited. Wright’s impressive goals in recent Under-21 matches against Liverpool and Chesterfield have demonstrated why City sees such potential in him, much to the disappointment of scouts who were hoping to lure him away.
In other news, City academy director Thomas Krucken has been on a scouting trip to the United States, where he visited Philadelphia and New York City FC, part of the City Football Group. Krucken spent time observing both first team and academy training sessions, exchanging ideas on player and staff development with his counterparts. Reflecting on his trip, Krucken expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to share knowledge and build relationships within the City Football Group, emphasizing the importance of learning from one another to enhance talent development across the network.
