It was another memorable year for the Academy as City secured English youth football’s most prestigious prize, the FA Youth Cup.
The Under 18s defeated Leeds United 4-0 in a barnstorming May finale watched by more than 20,000 people at the Etihad Stadium.
Goals from Justin Oboavwoduo, Jaden Heskey, Stephen Mfuni, and Matty Warhusrt secured the trophy for the fourth time in Club history following previous triumphs in 1986, 2008 and 2020.
There was silverware, too, for the Under 9s via the Premier League National Futsal Tournament, and the Under 13s, who completed a double – lifting the Premier League International Tournament and the National Super Cup.
The Under 14s won their version of the Premier League International Tournament and the Under 19s reached the last 16 of the UEFA Youth League.
Winners
FA Youth Cup
Winners
PREMIER LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Winners
Premier League International Tournament
National Super Cup
Winners
Premier League National Futsal Tournament
As ever, the Academy kept the pipeline of talent to the first team flowing, with four players making their senior debuts for Pep Guardiola’s side during the 2023-24 season.
Oscar Bobb made his first appearance as a substitute during the 5-0 victory over Fulham in September. In January, he scored his first Premier League goal in the 91st minute of the vital 3-2 comeback win at Newcastle United, an effort that won him Premier League Goal of the Month.
In December, Micah Hamilton (now at Middlesbrough) started the UEFA Champions League group stage away at Red Star Belgrade, scoring his first goal in the 19th minute of the 3-2 success. He was also a member of the squad that won the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Mahamadou Susoho was likewise in that travelling party, having also had his first taste of Champions League football as a substitute at Red Star Belgrade.
Jacob Wright made his senior debut as a second half substitute in City’s FA Cup third round win over Huddersfield Town.
The Academy influence was evident across the Premier League last season as recent graduates featured for Chelsea (Cole Palmer), Burnley (James Trafford and Aro Muric), Wolverhampton Wanderers (Tommy Doyle) and Sheffield United (James McAtee).
Away from the training and playing pitches, the Performance and Lifestyle and Player Support teams continued to focus on preparing players for life in football and beyond. They delivered 160 personal sessions on topics including integrity, racism, social media, healthy relationships, cooking, media training and mental health.
Academy staff also ran parent forums to gather feedback, and delivered around 300 Foundation Phase Maths and English education sessions to players aged Under 9 through to Under 11.
At a more advanced level, the Under 15s took part in the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. They were taught to cook by first team chefs and delivered a football coaching session at a local primary school, while 11 players headed out on a three-day camping expedition during which they put their newly-learned skills to the test.
Educational achievements of the academy players
Source: Manchester City
