The Manchester City Thread

Not exactly a surprise. Besides, whatever pot we're in, we'll be unlucky if we end up in the group of death again.

City are idiots.

If you're in the third pot, I think you'll be in the group of death regardless just because you should easily be the strongest team in pot 3. But obviously, I don't think anyone expects you to perform as badly as this year - even if you were drawn in the exact same group.

Give it to Pardew.

You're not foisting him on us.

Oh, I know you said allegedly, I've just seen enough people claiming it as fact for it to annoy me already.

Manchester City Football Club is delighted to announce Patrick Vieira as the new Head of the Elite Development Squad, a position he will take up on 1 June, following two years in the role as City’s Football Development Executive.

The Elite Development Squad currently play in the Under 21 Premier League and from 2014 will be based at the City Football Academy, City’s groundbreaking training ground development, which is currently under construction on an 80 acre site adjacent to the Etihad Stadium.

Vieira’s illustrious playing career includes the winning of five FA Cups and nine league titles. His 107 caps for France include winning performances in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and 2000 UEFA European Championships. His time as a Manchester City player, which began in January 2010, concluded with the winning of the FA Cup Final in May 2011, the Club’s first silverware in 35 years.

During his two years in his current role, the Club has supported Patrick in his coaching development which resulting in him securing his UEFA B coaching licence last year, an achievement on which he continues to build as he works to secure his UEFA A licence.

Patrick Vieira said: “After spending two years working across a number of areas of the Club and with a particular focus on the Youth Academy, I feel honoured and privileged to have been offered this role. This marks a new chapter both in my career and in my life and I am looking forward to it immensely. My passion for the development of young talent has only grown in my time at City and I am pleased to be able to play my part in helping to shape the footballing future for Manchester City.”

Ferran Soriano said: “Patrick is a world champion and it is a great honour that he has chosen Manchester City to begin his football management career. I have seen him carefully considering options and choosing to coach for the best reasons; he has a love of the game and a willingness to continue to learn and transmit his knowledge and experience to young footballers.”

“Patrick’s role is of the highest long term importance for the Club. The ability of the Academy, the Elite Development Squad and the First team to work together using the same football concepts is key to our success and sustainability.”

Manchester City would like to offer their best wishes to Attilio Lombardo, who stepped down from this role, and to thank him for his work with the EDS over the last year.