Man City Under-18 lead coach Lauris Coggin believes the relationship between the club’s academy and Enzo Maresca’s first team is “probably as strong as it’s ever been”.
Coggin has made a perfect start since taking charge of the Under-18s this summer, winning his first five league matches. City made it five from five with a 4-1 victory over Sunderland last weekend.
The 37-year-old stepped up from his previous role as assistant coach with the Elite Development Squad after Oliver Reiss moved from the Under-18s to take charge of the EDS.
Coggin, who spent a decade coaching in West Ham’s academy before joining City last year, believes his new group has plenty of room to develop.
“I think what we have here means that what we can achieve is limitless,” he told the Manchester Evening News.
“We want to be really competitive in any game that we play, our style of play is equally important, as well as giving opportunities to the right players at the right time. And the growth of the individuals is paramount to what we do.”
Coggin praises Man City academy pathway
Coggin has also been encouraged by the link between City’s age-group sides and Maresca’s senior squad.
“Enzo obviously has an empathy having been part of the academy previously,” he said.
“So the relationship between the first team and academy is probably as strong as it’s ever been and that can only benefit the players.”
There has already been evidence of that pathway this season. Seventeen-year-old Floyd Samba scored twice on his senior debut as City beat Norwich 5-0 in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, with Maresca handing the academy midfielder his first start.
Samba described the occasion as “mind-blowing”, while Maresca has since praised the teenager following his two-goal debut.
Coggin said the aim for those coming through the academy remains straightforward.
“Day to day the message is to give everything to achieve your dream, which essentially is to get into Manchester City’s first team,” he said.
“There will be others who gain careers elsewhere but it is all about meeting the values.”
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