Man City academy reshapes coaching staff as Under-21s line up six pre-season friendlies

Manchester City’s academy begins its 2025-26 pre-season with a reshaped coaching structure and a six-game friendly programme for the Under-21s, starting at home to Grimsby Town on Tuesday, July 21.

Oliver Reiss has been promoted from the Under-18s to take charge of the Under-21 side following Ben Wilkinson’s departure to join Derby County’s first-team staff. Lauris Coggin, previously Wilkinson’s assistant, moves up to lead the Under-18s in his place.

The managerial changes come off the back of a strong year for City’s youth sides. The Under-18s won the FA Youth Cup last season with a derby-day victory over Manchester United and also claimed the Under-18 Premier League North title. The Under-21s finished third in Premier League 2 and reached the play-off semi-finals, defeating Arsenal and Aston Villa before losing 4-3 to United.

Reiss takes charge for the first time next week, with the Under-21s facing five Football League opponents across their pre-season schedule. Stockport visit on Saturday, July 25, before City travel to Wycombe on August 1 and Fleetwood on August 4. A sixth fixture on August 8 will be played against the loser of the Carabao Cup preliminary-round tie between Rochdale and Tranmere, who meet on August 1.

The summer programme closes with a trip to France to face PSG’s Under-21 side on Saturday, August 15. All six fixtures are behind closed doors and not open to supporters.

City are still awaiting confirmation of their Premier League 2 fixture list for 2026-27, with the new season scheduled to begin over the weekend of August 22-23.