Manchester City could lose Elite coach Ben Wilkinson

Manchester City risk losing Elite Development Squad coach Ben Wilkinson this summer as League One clubs and Championship sides express interest in him, with the 39‑year‑old also attracting offers from abroad after guiding the academy to FA Youth Cup glory.

Wilkinson, 39, was promoted from U18 Lead Coach to head the Elite Development Squad in 2024 after steering the academy side to FA Youth Cup success. His tenure has seen him work closely with first‑team figures, including Pep Guardiola. He travelled with the senior squad to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

During his time at City, Wilkinson has overseen the integration of academy talent into senior environments. He has been credited with developing prospects such as Nico O’Reilly and Ryan McAidoo. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak recently highlighted McAidoo as one of the club’s most exciting emerging talents.

League One clubs view Wilkinson as a credible head‑coach candidate, while several Championship clubs have registered interest in him as a first‑team assistant. Interest also comes from clubs abroad, reflecting his growing reputation. The breadth of interest underscores his standing within City’s coaching pathway.

The report on Wilkinson’s situation comes from Simon Bajkowski and Alex James of the Manchester Evening News. They note that the potential departure would represent a significant loss for City’s coaching pipeline. Wilkinson previously replaced Brian Barry‑Murphy as Elite Development Squad head coach.

Manchester City have previously promoted from within when senior academy figures have left, suggesting a possible reshuffle if Wilkinson departs. The club’s academy department remains one of the most productive in English football under the City Football Group structure. Retaining Wilkinson is therefore a key priority for the organization.