Dibble signed for the Blues in July 1988 from Luton Town and went on to play 116 times for City, though a number of injuries meant the total was lower than it might have perhaps been.
After numerous loan spells during his time at Maine Road, he moved and later played for Rangers and Middlesbrough – among many other clubs (he played for 18 in total) before moving into goalkeeper coaching.
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On Wednesday evening, he returns as part of Cardiff City’s coaching staff and is looking forward to seeing one or two old faces.
“I’m Cardiff City’s first team goalkeeping coach these days,” said Dibble.
“It’s the first time I’ve been to the Etihad since leaving City as the two occasions we played against City in the past year were at the Cardiff City Stadium.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Manchester, but we know it is going to be really tough and obviously we feel aggrieved to say the least after what happened against Chelsea.”
Dibble believes City unearthed a real gem when Ederson was signed.
The former Wales international says the Brazilian, in his opinion, is second to none.
“Ederson is the best in the Premier League for me,” he said.
“He’s so calm and composed and there’s none better in my opinion. I watched him against Newport on a poor, bumpy pitch where he was getting balls pinged at him continually to his feet and he was dealing with everything with no problem.
“It was a like a poor Sunday League pitch, and he was always available, wanting the ball. Alisson and Kepa are great keepers, too, but Ederson has everything and he is the world’s best.”
So, if he had the chance, where would Dibble begin coaching a keeper like Ederson?
“It would be an interesting project!” he laughed.
“With a keeper like that, you’d just keep him ticking over whereas you’d focus on the No.2 and No.3 keepers so that they are ready to go if needed.
“I don’t think there’s much you could teach a talent like Ederson.”
