Chelsea capture Manchester City academy chief in latest raid on Premier League champions | OneFootball

Manchester City have seen another name within their system leave the club for Chelsea, the Stamford Bridge club have now confirmed.

It is the latest in a long line of changes involving the two clubs, both in terms of exchanges in playing personnel, and coaching staff and officials away from the football pitch as Chelsea look to reestablish themselves as a serious force within the English game.

The most high-profile of the changes saw Cole Palmer bring an end to his long-standing association with Manchester City by making the switch to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023 for a transfer fee of £40 million, potentially rising to £42.5 million.

Additionally, former Manchester City assistant manager Enzo Maresca is now the leading head coach in charge of Chelsea’s first-team, following a hugely successful time with Leicester City and securing the Foxes’ return to the Premier League.

Now a new name has followed the same path taken by a number of figures, as one of Manchester City’s leading figures within their Academy system has taken a senior role within the Cobham set-up.

As confirmed by Chelsea, Manchester City’s head of coaching in their youth development system, Glenn van der Kraan has now made the move to Stamford Bridge, where he takes on the role of Academy technical director.

Speaking on the arrival of van der Kraan, Chelsea’s sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said, “We’re very pleased to make this announcement as Glenn brings vast experience and track record for success in youth development into a new position at Chelsea.”

They continued, “Alongside the vital continuity and experience that Jack (Francis) brings to his new role, we are excited about this new leadership and the potential within the Academy moving forward.

“The Academy is fundamental to the plan for the future of the club, with Glenn and Jack now in place to steer the operation alongside the immense expertise already within the Academy building at Cobham.”