Former West Ham midfielder emerges as candidate for Pep Guardiola’s new-look Manchester City coaching staff | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City could turn to one of their sister clubs within the City Football Group for a new addition to their coaching staff, according to reports.

It comes after the club announced last week that they would be parting ways with three long-standing members of Guardiola’s coaching structure, as the Catalan boss goes in search of fresh ideas and new voices following a challenging season.

The alterations come off the back of a season that saw Manchester City end without a single major trophy to their name for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut 2016/17 season with the club, despite an FA Community Shield triumph last August.

Both assistant manager Juanma Lillo and technical coach Inigo Dominguez have vacated their roles on the bench for Manchester City following the expiry of their respective contracts at the end of the most recent season.

That duo has also been joined by Carlos Vicens, who – despite being offered a contract extension to his role as set-piece coach by Manchester City officials – has taken his first lead managerial position with Portuguese side SC Braga.

The trio of departures has led Manchester City towards the market of coaches for reinforcements, and have struck an agreement to bring former Liverpool assistant under Jurgen Klopp, Pep Lijnders to the Etihad Stadium.

Now, according to The Mirror’s Simon Mullock, Pep Guardiola and City could turn to former West Ham midfielder Alessandro Diamanti as a new addition to their new-look backroom structure, with the Italian currently a youth coach at sister club Melbourne City.

The 42-year-old only announced his retirment from his playing career in April 2023, playing his last game for Western United against Perth Glory, before leaving the club to step into management and coaching within the City Football Group.

Diamanti most recently spoke on his future in coaching last August, as he told Melbourne City’s official club website, “Already I have some opportunities overseas but I’m not in a rush. I want to learn and I have a lot to learn and study.

“This opportunity I got last year is helping me a lot to do what I want. Of course I’m very ambitious and I always have been. Everything I do, I do for success. This is why I work hard. This is who I am. The only way to success is to work hard. At the moment I’m happy here.”

He continued, “I’m learning a lot every day. I’m in no rush. This is my university so I can get the best I can get. Then we will see. We never know what happens in life.

“Of course my background is in Europe (but) that doesn’t matter, I love to be here. I love to coach the guys and be around. Our environment is very good. I’m very happy. I’m just enjoying the moment.”

Elsewhere, Manchester City are also eyeing the possibility of an internal promotion up to the first-team set-up for former player Kolo Toure, who is currently a coach within the club’s Academy set-up having been sacked by Wigan Athletic midway through last season.