Pep Guardiola hailed the work done on and off the field as Manchester City’s under-18s secured a third successive national title on Wednesday night. The extra-time victory in the national final over southern division champions West Ham ensured City defended their national crown for the third season, adding to the under-23’s third Premier League 2 title in a row. Praising the youth team’s title win this season, meaning no other side has won the national title since 2019, Guardiola mentioned the style of football that mirrors his treble-chasing first team.
Pep Guardiola said: “Our Under-18s have again done something special this season. To defend the title they have won in the last two seasons and experience the pressure of a final shows the outstanding mentality of all players and staff. The way they have played, taking the game to their opponents and always looking to score more goals, is a great display of the football we want to play at City.I want to say a huge congratulations to [under-18s manager] Ben [Wilkinson], his staff and all the players. Make the most of this special moment, I know it has taken a lot of hard work!”
Outgoing academy director Jason Wilcox, who leaves City this summer to become Southampton’s Director of Football, echoed the manager and hailed the work done over a number of years to achieve such an unprecedented feat.
Jason Wilcox said: “While development is central to our day-to-day programme at the Academy, winning titles reinforces that this Club is doing the right things on and off the pitch in terms of creating good footballers and good people. So many people work hard every single day to make sure our Academy is the best it can be. This win is for all of them.”
