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Manchester City have confirmed that Thomas Krucken has been appointed as the Club’s new Academy Director.
The highly regarded German takes up the role in succession to Jason Wilcox who left the position earlier this summer to become Director of Football at Southampton FC.
The 45-year-old, a UEFA Pro Licence holder, joins us from VfB Stuttgart where he has been employed as head of youth development since the summer 2019.
In that time, he has developed a formidable reputation for helping oversee and nurture the development and progress of the Bundesliga side’s most talented young prospects.
Prior to taking up that role Krucken assembled an impressive CV with a number of key youth coaching roles across Germany.
Before moving to Stuttgart, Krucken spent several years at FSV Mainz 05 where he was head youth coach after having earlier taken charge of the Club’s Under-19s and Under-17s.
Prior to that he had also honed his craft with spells working within Hoffenheim, Arminia Bielefeld, where he was head of youth development, Hertha Berlin and FC Cologne’s youth systems.
In total, he has trained more than 60 players who play in the Bundesliga and the German national side, and in May 2023 he completed the Sportdirector course at the German Football Association.
Thomas is also no stranger to Manchester City, having spent a season with us working in our Academy set up between 2000 and 2001.
And he takes up the new position with the Club’s Academy having gone from strength to strength over the past few years.
City’s Elite Development Squad and Under-18s have both made history by each securing a hat-trick of PL2 and Under-18 national titles for the past three years – an achievement no other club has ever managed before.
Meanwhile a host of talented youngsters have been afforded their first team debuts by City in recent seasons with first team manager Pep Guardiola again highlighting his own gratitude for the sterling work of the Club’s Academy earlier this week.
Commenting on being appointed Academy Director, Krucken spoke of his sense of huge pride at excitement ahead of taking up what is a huge important role at the Club.
“This is an opportunity I could not turn down. Everyone knows Manchester City have one of the best Academy set-ups in world football. The chance to come here and build on their amazing work of recent years is one that really excites me,” Krucken said.
“Everything City’s Academy stands for matches my values. They play an outstanding style of football, defined by keeping the ball and attacking the opposition. It’s brilliant to watch.”
“But they also place heavy emphasis on producing good human beings. This Academy is designed to ensure young players are not only technically proficient with high football IQ, but also well educated, respectful and thoughtful.”
“It’s exactly how an Academy should be set up and I can’t wait to get started and introduce some new ideas and practices.”
Krucken’s appointment was also welcomed by City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain who added: “Thomas is a great person who has an excellent track record in youth football.
“He has a vision for where our Academy needs to be over the next five to ten years. His ideas match with ours, which is a great starting point.”
“Over recent years, our Academy has produced so many top-class players. Some have made their way into the first team and others have moved on and are having successful careers elsewhere.”
“We are very, very proud of our track record. I believe Thomas can build on that success and make us even better.”
“We will provide him with everything he needs to ensure our Academy remains the best and I can’t wait to start working with him.”
Krucken is set to officially take up his new position after he serves his current notice period and everyone at the Manchester City would like to congratulate him on his appointment.
