From Germany: Manchester City to make major managerial appointment based on Pep Guardiola factor

Manchester City are to appoint Oliver Reiss as Under-18 head coach at the City Football Academy.

Manchester City’s first team won a fourth straight Premier League title last month, along with winning both the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup during another historic campaign for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Silverware success was enjoyed elsewhere at the club, with Manchester City’s under-18s winning the FA Youth Cup at the Etihad Stadium in May, convincingly beating Leeds United 4-0 in the final.

Manchester City Under-18s lifted the trophy after a brilliant display as four second-half goals from Justin Oboavwoduo, Jaden Heskey, Stephen Mfuni and Matty Warhurst secured a resounding victory.

The Under-18s also reached the final of the Premier League Cup in the recent campaign but suffered a 2-1 defeat to local rivals Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village.

Manchester City have won the U18 League Cup twice in the last six years, with Ben Wilkinson leading the academy side from 2020.

However, Manchester City are set for a major management change at the City Football Academy this summer, with Oliver Reiss set to be appointed as the club’s new under-18 boss, according to Florian Plettenberg.

The 41-year-old will leave Hertha BSC after 17 years to take over the Blues’ academy outfit from next season after Reiss turned down offers from RSC Anderlecht and Hertha BSC to become first-team assistant coach.

The German coach, who has overseen 57 matches with Hertha Under-19s since being appointed manager in 2022, has previously coached at Under-17 level.

Reiss “consciously” chose to move to Manchester City, with Etihad bosses “pushing” to sign the 41-year-old due to his stylistic similarities to Guardiola.

Manchester City could be forced into a new first-team managerial appointment in 2025, with Guardiola out of contract at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the upcoming 2024/25 campaign.