This season City set new records as the Club won Premier League titles at first team, Elite Development Squad (EDS) and Under 18s level all in the same season for an astonishing third consecutive year.
And, those in the younger age groups had the inspiration of seeing fellow graduates progress into the first team squad and straight into Pep Guardiola’s plans.
Hot on the heels of Phil Foden was Rico Lewis, who quickly established himself at senior level by scoring a goal in his first UEFA Champions League game. That goal saw him break the previous record to become the youngest player in UEFA Champions League history to score on his first start in the competition, at the age of 17 years and 346 days.
Lewis also became the youngest Englishman – at 18 years and 37 days – to start a Premier League game for City since Micah Richards in May 2006.
In completing their hat-trick of titles in Premier League 2, the EDS amassed 18 wins from 26 games and scored 80 goals.
Winners
Premier League 2 Division 1
Winners
Premier League North League
Premier League National League
Winners
Premier League National Cup
Winners
Premier League Fives
Winners
Premier League National Cup
Premier League Powerplay Futsal
Premier League Truce Tournament North
Winners
Premier League Powerplay Futsal
Premier League Fives
Premier League Futsal Finals
Winners
Premier League Powerplay Futsal
Winners
Premier League Powerplay Futsal
Premier League Futsal
There were triumphs right across the Academy as the Under 18s side won the Premier League National with a 2-1 extra time victory over West Ham United in the showpiece final at the Etihad Stadium. This added to their Premier League North success.
The Under 16s were the Premier League National Cup winners, the Under 13s captured the Premier League Fives and the Under 12s team were treble Premier League competition winners as they won the National Cup, the Powerplay Futsal title and the Truce Tournament North.
Of the 199 players in the Academy in 2022-23 (from U9s up to U23s), 67% are local
Source: Manchester City
City has firmly and deliberately adopted an approach to its Academy that blends both global and local talent with a particular focus on finding and developing players from within the Greater Manchester community.
The Club is particularly proud that 67% of its Academy currently comes from the Greater Manchester area.
And, it’s not just the football ability that is nurtured, with personal individual development and academic performance also a high priority for the Club.
City ran a total of 215 personal development sessions for players from the Under 9s right up to the EDS over the season. Personal development sessions prepare players for life away from the pitch, supporting them to manage a lifestyle that prioritises optimal performance as well as preparing them for living independently. Sessions included career mornings for Under 15s and Under 16s.
A ground-breaking alumni programme was also launched this season in the form of a ten-year care package that provides players with access to support, expertise and guidance which is made available to Academy players who leave City post scholarship.
There are five pillars to the alumni strategy, compromising: training and education, mental health and wellbeing, connections and relationships, football and career advice, as well as jobs and work experience. The programme has been put in place to provide guidance and ongoing care and assistance for players, so that they can continue to thrive whether they are inside or outside of football.
Educational achievements of the Academy players
Source: Manchester City
