Simon Davies has been appointed head of Manchester City U21’s.
The club announced the news on Sunday night, with Davies, 41, being Patrick Vieira’s assistant when the Frenchman was at the helm last season. The club are believed to be impressed with his contribution since working with the former Arsenal star in 2013.
Vieira has agreed to take over the vacant role at City’s sister club – New York City – leaving the space open for Davies, who, ironically, was part of Manchester United’s ‘Class of 92’ at the start of his career, to take over from him.
Vieira will leave to take charge of the American side in December; with his final game being City’s youth game against Monchengladbach, as they look to finish top of their respective group.
The Welshman follows in the footsteps of Vieira after working with him for three years and is looking to carry on with the development that has been left behind by the Frenchman. The pair had a good relationship and Davies admitted that the two might work together again in the future, but right now they have different aims yet remain on very good terms.
He told CityTV that he is “delighted” to be taking on the role as City look to take advantage of the incredible youth facilities that they have at their disposal.
“I feel as though I am a competent coach and I have a really good link with the academy, I know all of the players well,’ Davies said.
“This is a very good opportunity for me at this stage in my career and both me and Patrick agreed that this was the right thing to do.”
When asked what the relationship is like with Manuel Pellegrini and the links between himself and the first team, Davies has reflected on the recent successes of Kelechi Iheanacho; Manu Garcia and Cameron Humphreys and stated that they are “not in a bad place” and are “getting there” as City look to promote even more youth players to the squad.
