The academy, which is the club’s youth system, has also been dominating the national scene for the third year in a row.
Manchester City fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate this season. The senior team has already qualified for FA Cup final, is on top of the Premier League, and is still in contention for a historic treble. But the success of the club is not limited to the first team. The academy has also been making waves in the national and international scene for the third year in a row.
The academy has produced some of the most exciting talents in world football, such as Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, and Liam Delap. It has also won several trophies and accolades, including the under-18 and under-23 national championships, the UEFA Youth League semi-finals, and the Nexen Manchester City Cup. It has also positively impacted the local community through various initiatives and partnerships.
This article will examine how Manchester City’s academy became the best in the business and what makes it unique. We will also hear from some players, coaches, and directors who are part of this culture of excellence. But before we dive into the academy’s story, let us remind you that you can still get your Man City tickets for the upcoming FA Cup Final against Manchester City. Take advantage of this chance to witness history in the making and to support your team in their quest for glory.
Treble-double for the young Blues
The under-18 and under-23 teams have clinched the national championships this season, completing an unprecedented treble-double. The under-18s beat West Ham 2-1 after extra time at the Etihad Stadium, while the under-23s secured the Premier League 2 title with a game to spare.
The under-18s have won the Northern Division of the under-18 Premier League for four consecutive years and have confirmed their status as the best youngsters in the country by beating the Southern Division champions in the national final. The under-18s have scored 81 goals and conceded only 21 in 25 games this season, with Justin Oboavwoduo leading the scoring charts with 17 goals.
The under-23s have also been impressive, finishing 13 points clear of second-placed Tottenham in their league. The under-23s have scored 66 goals and conceded only 30 in 24 games this season, with Liam Delap topping the scoring charts with 24 goals.
These achievements are not just a result of individual talent but also a reflection of the structure and philosophy of the academy, which has been producing players for over a decade.
A decade of excellence
The academy was established in 2008 when Sheikh Mansour bought the club and invested heavily in youth development. The academy moved to a state-of-the-art facility at the City Football Academy in 2014, adjacent to the Etihad Stadium and part of the wider Etihad Campus.
The academy follows the same playing and training philosophy as the senior team, based on possession, creativity, and attacking flair. The academy coaches align with Pep Guardiola’s vision and methods and work closely with him and his staff to ensure an effective transition for players who step up to the first team.
The academy also provides a holistic education for its players, focusing on their academic, personal, and social development—the academy partners with St. Bede’s College, where players attend school alongside their football training. The academy also offers mentoring, guidance, and support for players and their families.
A pipeline of talent
The academy has been successful in winning trophies and developing players who can play at the highest level. In recent years, the academy has produced several players who have debuted for the senior team, such as Phil Foden, Tommy Doyle, Cole Palmer, and Liam Delap.
Foden is arguably the most successful product of the academy so far, having established himself as a regular starter for club and country.
The academy has also supplied players for other clubs in England and abroad, either on loan or on permanent transfers. These players include Jadon Sancho, Brahim Diaz, Angelino, Rabbi Matondo, and Lukas Nmecha.
Sancho is another shining example of the academy’s quality, leaving City in 2017 to join Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
The academy has also been recognized internationally, with many players representing their countries at various age groups. For example, Foden was part of the England squad that won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017, where he was named the tournament’s best player.
A positive impact on the community
The academy is focused on developing players for professional football and making a positive impact on the local community. The academy runs several initiatives to engage with young people from different backgrounds and abilities and to promote social inclusion and diversity.
One of these initiatives is the Cityzens Giving Young Leaders Academy (CGYLA). This international program trains young people from Manchester and other cities worldwide to use football to tackle social issues in their communities. The program has reached over 30,000 young people since its launch in 2014.
Another initiative is City Football Schools (CFS), a network of football schools that offer coaching sessions for children between three and 16 years old. CFS aims to provide fun and accessible football opportunities for children of all backgrounds. CFS operates in Manchester and other locations around the world.
A showcase of talent
The academy also organizes regular events and tournaments to showcase its talent and compete with other academies worldwide. One of these events is the Nexen Manchester City Cup, an annual youth football tournament held in San Diego, USA. The tournament features over 400 teams from 25 countries and attracts over 20,000 spectators.
The academy also participates in the UEFA Youth League, a European competition for under-19 teams that mirrors the UEFA Champions League. The academy has reached the semi-finals of the competition twice, in 2015 and 2017.
Collaboration with other clubs
The academy also collaborates with other City Football Group (CFG) clubs, a network of football clubs owned by Sheikh Mansour. CFG includes clubs such as New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, Girona FC, and Mumbai City FC.
It shares its resources and expertise with these clubs and allows players to train and play with them. For example, some academy players have spent time on loan at Girona FC in Spain, while others have trained with New York City FC in the USA.
The academy also benefits from the knowledge and experience of these clubs and learns from their different cultures and styles of play. The academy aims to create a global network of talent that can enrich Manchester City and other CFG clubs.
A Vision for the Future
The academy is not resting on its laurels, however. It is constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate to keep up with the changing demands of modern football. The academy is always scouting for new talent, both locally and globally, and is always ready to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
The academy’s vision is to become the best youth system in world football, producing players who can compete at the highest level for Manchester City and other clubs. The academy also aims to create well-rounded individuals who can contribute positively to society.
The Manchester City Academy is not just a youth system but a culture of excellence. It is not just a place where players learn how to play football but how to become winners. It is not just a source of pride for the club but a benchmark for others to follow. It is not just an academy but the best in the business.