Reiss arrives as Under-18s Lead Coach | OneFootball

Manchester City can confirm the coaching structure for our Under-18s ahead of the 2024/25 campaign with Oliver Reiss appointed as the team’s new Lead Coach.

The 41-year-old arrives at City on the back of a long and distinguished career coaching young talent in his native Germany at Hertha Berlin.

Reiss has held a variety of coaching roles at Hertha’s youth set-up across more than a decade including spells as Under-17s Head Coach as well as being both assistant and more latterly Head Coach of the German club’s Under-19s.

Reiss takes over from Ben Wilkinson, who has been appointed as Elite Development Squad Lead Coach having been Under-18s Lead Coach for the past three seasons.

In that time Ben - who has also enjoyed successful spells as Under-16 Lead Coach and EDS assistant manager - has overseen a hugely successful period for our Under-18s.

Under his stewardship, City won the Under-18 Premier League regional and national titles in both 2021/22 and 2022/23, in the process becoming the first side to achieve three consecutive Premier League North and national titles.

WATCH: FA Youth Cup final highlights: City 4-0 Leeds

Further success continued last season with Ben guiding City to FA Youth Cup glory with our Under-18s sealing the prestigious trophy thanks to a 4-0 final triumph over Leeds at the Etihad Stadium.

Wilkinson replaces Brian Barry-Murphy who has departed from his role with the EDS and left the Club.

Commenting on the new coaching and management set-up, City’s Academy Director Thomas Kruecken said: “I am very pleased and excited to be able to confirm our coaching structure for the new season.

“This is part of our evolution and progression looking to the future and also illustrates that we are keen to promote from within and encourage a clear career progression and pathway.

“We have enjoyed great success in recent seasons, but we want to continue to look to develop and improve.

“Continuing Manchester City Academy’s development is vital, and these appointments leave us ideally equipped to meet the challenges of next season and beyond.”