Pep Guardiola has new coach for Club World Cup as Manchester City make plans for backroom staff
Manchester City 's Under-21 manager Ben Wilkinson will join Pep Guardiola 's backroom team for the Club World Cup.
Wilkinson, the son of former Leeds boss Howard, guided City's youngsters to the Premier League 2 title – beating Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United in the playoff stage before overpowering Southampton in this month's final.
The 38-year-old is set to link up with City's first team alongside assistant Craig Mudd when they arrive in Florida for a camp ahead of the summer tournament.
Guardiola's staff will be reduced by the time they head for America, with assistant Juanma Lillo leaving the club as well as both Inigo Dominguez and Carlos Vicens.
The coaching shake up coincides with new director of football Hugo Viana's appointment and City's sluggish season.
Mail Sport revealed earlier in the week that there had been some confusion among the backroom staff after the offer of contract renewals had been delayed.
City are thought to be moving forward with new deals this week but Guardiola will need fresh voices ahead of next year.
Having won last year's FA Youth Cup, Wilkinson has impressed since taking the Under 21s from Brian Barry-Murphy, who had become an integral member of staff during Guardiola's training sessions.
City's Under 19s, led by Wilkinson, also reached the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals, losing out to the 2023 winners AZ Alkmaar.
Wilkinson's invitation to form part of Guardiola's staff for the summer points to a host of youngsters making the trip. His role will be similar to that of Barry-Murphy's previously, with an onus on setting up the academy players in the shape of opposition.
Divin Mubama, Divine Mukasa, Reigan Heskey, Ryan McAidoo and Stephan Mfuni are among those to have shone at age group levels.
'More than anything I think it justifies the work we have done all year,' Wilkinson said after clinching the Premier League 2 title.
'There have also been some great opportunities to stretch the players and put them in the environment we want them to experience.'
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