Legendary former Manchester City captain returns to Club in new coaching role | OneFootball

Manchester City have welcomed back their legendary former captain Richard Dunne, who takes up a new role within the club’s Academy system, according to reports.

The former Republic of Ireland international and current TNT Sports pundit becomes the latest in a long line of Manchester City icons to be rewarded for their long-term services to the club with a role in the current operation.

Fellow Manchester City legend Shaun Goater has become a permanent part of the club’s women’s team, working closely with manager Gareth Taylor on the attacking operation of the high-flying Women’s Super League side.

There is a wider understanding that former club captain Fernandinho was also offered a coaching role within the club, and could yet be invited back to work alongside Manchester City’s staff in the future.

However, in the latest move involving a former star and according to the information of MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, writing in the latest edition of the Man City Notebook, Richard Dunne has started a new role as a youth development coach in Manchester City’s academy.

It is detailed that the 44-year-old has started work at Manchester City on a temporary basis, and is currently assisting the club’s Under-16s squad.

Across a staggering 10 seasons with Manchester City, and prior to their new era under the ownership of Abu Dhabi United Group and City Football Group, Richard Dunne amassed over 350 appearances scoring eight goals.

Dunne’s time at the club – alongside his exceptional leadership in Manchester City’s defensive line – was also marked by their English Division One success in the 2001/02 season, alongside the likes of Ali Benarbia, Sun Jihai, and Stuart Pearce.

Manchester City could look towards aiding the coaching careers of other former first-team stars in the future, with a number of players eyeing their first steps into coaching, even while maintaining their existing playing careers – namely Ilkay Gundogan.