Manchester City’s Academy reshapes after Wilkinson’s Derby move

Manchester City’s Academy faces a dual shift as veteran coach Ben Wilkinson leaves for Derby County while Oliver Reiss, who joined in July 2024, is promoted to head the Elite Development Squad. The change follows Wilkinson’s eight‑year spell and aims to preserve the club’s possession‑oriented youth model.

Manchester City confirmed four alterations to its Academy coaching hierarchy, with Oliver Reiss named head coach of the Elite Development Squad. He succeeds Ben Wilkinson, who departed to become a first‑team coach at Championship side Derby County. Wilkinson joins Jon Eustace’s backroom staff at the Derby County club.

Former assistant Lauris Coggin moves up to become the new head coach of the Under‑18 team. Long‑serving U16‑EDS coach Jan‑Moritz Lichte exits the City Football Academy, and Jose Castro steps in as his successor.

Academy Director Thomas Krucken praised Wilkinson’s eight‑year service, saying, “Firstly, I would like to thank Ben for his fantastic service to the Academy during his eight years at the Club in different roles and for all his exemplary work with our young players.” He added, “We’re excited about the new structure and in Oliver and Lauris we have two of the most knowledgeable and intelligent coaches in youth football,” highlighting the internal pathway from Enzo Maresca onward.

The Academy’s development model has recently produced top‑flight talents such as Nico O’Reilly, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer. It also generated vital liquidity that helped finance the record‑breaking £116 million purchase of Elliot Anderson for the senior squad.

Oliver Reiss arrived from a decade‑long tenure managing youth brackets at Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin before joining Manchester City in July 2024. In his debut season with the Under‑18s he guided a historic 21‑game winning streak to claim the Under‑18 Premier League North title. He then engineered a tactical masterclass in the 2025/26 campaign, lifting the FA Youth Cup by defeating local rivals Manchester United in the final while retaining the regional league crown.

By promoting Reiss and Coggin, Manchester City underscores a commitment to internal development rather than importing external philosophies. The restructuring sets the stage for a seamless progression of both coaches and players within the Academy’s possession‑driven framework.