Recently-departed Manchester City coach plots raid on Etihad Stadium for players ahead of new role

Manchester City’s recently-departed Elite Development Squad Head Coach, Brian Barry-Murphy is reportedly plotting a raid on his former club for his new role.

Joining the Club’s academy system at the start of the 2021/22 season, Barry-Murphy and his Elite Development Squad players at the City Football Academy managed to retain the Premier League 2 crown in his debut season in charge.

That debut season success was followed up in the next campaign too, with the 2022/23 schedule met by a third consecutive Premier League 2 title – a record for the competition, and a testament to the Irishman’s coaching.

But the forthcoming campaign will be the first in several years without the presence of Barry-Murphy on the touchline, after Manchester City confirmed earlier this week that the 45-year-old had left his position as Head Coach of their EDS.

But while there is no further clarity on the future of the former Manchester City Academy coach, a new report has detailed the manager’s intentions when it comes to a potential reunion with some of his talented starlets in east Manchester.

That is according to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, who reports that Brian Barry-Murphy wants to take some of the Etihad Stadium’s Under-23 prospects with him into his next role.

Among the names reportedly being considered by the Irish coach is Manchester City prospect Kian Breckin, who continues to eye clarity over his next move in senior football following a challenging 2023/24 campaign.

Breckin is one of a number of young players who have their eye on deciding their immediate next steps in senior football from within the Manchester City youth academy, while some will be hoping to make an impression during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

James McAtee is one name that City officials are hoping to rectify the future of in the coming days and weeks, although the England youth international could yet impress Pep Guardiola Stateside this summer.

Manchester City are understood to be open to all opportunities for the 21-year-old, valuing the playmaker at around £20 million but also recognising that a loan deal to a Premier League club or elsewhere in Europe could be as beneficial for him on a personal note.