Manchester City start search for new U23 boss
City say Simon Davies will remain as Head of Elite Development Squad
Written by Simon Austin — March 6, 2018
MANCHESTER CITY are looking for a new Under-23 coach as they revamp roles in their Academy.
Up until now, the position has been held by Simon Davies, who took over from Patrick Vieira as Head of the Elite Development Squad in December 2015.
City insist the new appointment will not impact Davies’s position at the club. They have not had a dedicated U23 manager before, with Vieira and then Davies fulfilling the role.
The position is crucial though, because it is a conduit between the Academy and first team. There are some high-profile U23 managers around, with former Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia in charge of Manchester United’s team, for example.
City are looking for an U23 coach and assistant to “manage, coach, motivate and develop the U23 squad enabling the elite players to achieve their maximum potential by devising technical and tactical training sessions in line with the Group’s footballing philosophy and individual player needs.”
They want someone with experience of working in an Academy who has the minimum of a Uefa A License. The closing date for applications is March 16th.
City’s U23s are currently ninth in Premier League 2, with United bottom, in 12th place. However, City Academy manager Jason Wilcox has insisted that challenging players is more important than winning at youth level, and Davies has fielded entirely teenaged teams at points this season.
Manager Pep Guardiola has also complained that Premier League 2 is a poor proving ground for aspiring first-team players.
Manchester City Academy staff:
- Jason Wilcox: Appointed Academy Director in October 2017 after Mark Allen left to become Director of Football at Glasgow Rangers. Previously Head of Academy Coaching.
- Simon Davies: Head of City’s Elite Development Squad since December 2015, when Patrick Vieira left to take charge of sister club New York City.
- Gareth Taylor: Under-18s coach. Has held the role since July 2017, having previously been U16s boss.
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