Two brand new coaches have joined Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff at Manchester City this week, and they arrive at the club with an impressive and interesting pedigree, to say the least.
2024/25 was the first campaign that the Catalan head coach finished the competitive season without picking up silverware since his maiden year at the club in 16/17. As a result, it looks like Pep is risking any further flirtation with complacency and looks to have been proactive in the transfer market and beyond.
As well as player acquisition (one already completed and more inbound), the official appointment of two key additions to the first-team coaching personnel on Tuesday morning has piqued some interest.
Not least of all because they’ve been snapped up from a rival club.
The two men in question are Pepijn Lijnders and James French, who, up until this month, used to belong to the current English champions and had been for more than a decade, respectively.
Lijnders, who is now assistant coach to Guardiola, initially joined Liverpool as part of former manager Brendan Rodgers’ entourage before being kept on by club legend and now close friend, Jürgen Klopp, who left the Premier League after nine years in charge last year.
Why have one Pep when you can have two, eh?
As for his 42-year-old protégé, the fellow Dutchman had a short 2018 spell in charge of NEC Nijmegen back home in Eredivisie and, most recently, the RB Salzburg boss before ultimately being dismissed after just 29 games.
Lijnders also famously published his first book while still working as a football coach, Intensity: Inside Liverpool, back in 2022; it chronicled Liverpool’s 2021/22 season and was heavily criticised by many for shedding too much light on the dressing room and coaching secrets.
Safe to say his arrival at the Etihad Campus is a loaded and intriguing one for a number of reasons.
He certainly seems to back himself and has already tried his hand in the top job.
Meanwhile, long-time colleague, French, has been at Anfield studying opposition teams even longer. The former Hearts, Cardiff and Swansea match analyst landed in Merseyside all the way back in 2012.
Born in Portugal but raised here in England from an early age, picking up degrees in Scotland and Wales before also enjoying a role as part of the Welsh FA, his CV is a varied one which now includes Man City‘s new set-piece specialist.
With runners-up Arsenal having seen huge success in gaining extra points through goals converted from dead-ball situations, and Pep already a very astute tactician, it looks as though the Blues are hoping to find further success in this area.
You could argue he now serves as the perfect man to help push the team forward against their closest modern rivals and will certainly serve as a helpful opposition coach now too, having effectively spent a very long spell ‘researching’ what goes on over at Melwood.
Commenting on the appointments, fellow new starter and recently integrated Director of Football, Hugo Viana, said: “We are all delighted that Pepijn and James have joined our senior coaching set-up. Pepijn and James have each amassed huge experience working in their individual roles over the past few years.
“Their talent, application, work ethic and all-around commitment are totally aligned with the values that underpin how Pep wants football to be played.
“I have no doubt at all that both will prove to be very important assets for Pep and his coaching team as we prepare for the Club World Cup and then the 2025/26 season.”
Along with new reserve goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea also being confirmed, it is expected that Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders are next to be announced.
Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak made clear to fans early doors that his side would pick up “several targets” this summer, even after the roughly £200 million spending spree back in January, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see even more new faces before the end of the window.
Nike and go-to online running shoe suppliers confirmed as new sponsors for Altrincham 10k
Danny Jones
The annual Altrincham 10k just got a whole lot bigger and better ahead of this year’s run, as the annual race has just notched Nike as one of their new lead sponsors – and that’s not all.
Alty’s annual race is also being backed by SportsShoes.com, a.k.a. the go-to trainers supplier for so many runners, who will be presenting the 2025 edition in partnership with RunThroughUK.
Now part of RunThrough North‘s regular programme, Altrincham 10k continues to grow in size with each passing year, as demonstrated by getting such prestigious sponsors on board.
Taking place this weekend, the 2025 Alty 10k could just be the biggest yet.
We are thrilled to announce that we are teaming up with @Nike & @sportsshoes_com to bring the town an unforgettable race day 🤝
📅 Sunday 7th September 🏃 3,500 runners 👟 Closed roads ⚡️ Electric atmosphere
Set to welcome approximately 3,500 runners to the Trafford market town’s central streets, the Altrincham 10k is one of the final large-scale running events on the local calendar.
Aligning both famous brands with the heart of Altrincham’s running community and, indeed, giving Greater Manchester’s wider sports culture, it’s yet more prestige for 0161.
The 2025 race will also see Nike showcase its latest road running line-up, including the newest max cushioning shoe: the ‘Vomero Plus’; the responsive ‘Pegasus’ everyday trainer, as well as supportive ‘Structure’ model, meaning runners will get a chance to sample their latest styles.
As well as support from SportsShoes.com and official Nike ambassadors, North West native and GB triathlete Katie Halligan, Hits Radio presenter and ultra runner Hattie Pearson, as well as local Manc artist Emma Evans will all be there too.
These equally inspiring women have also been chosen to help represent Nike and RunThrough’s shared mission of attracting more female runners, as shown with events such asthe recent 2025 Women’s Run Series back in April.
Co-Founder of RunThrough, Matt Wood, said of the new partnership: “Welcoming Nike as title sponsor of the Altrincham 10K, alongside our long-standing partner SportsShoes.com, is a huge milestone for the event.
“This partnership highlights the growth of our community and the strength of our brand. We can’t wait to support the thousands of runners taking part in the Nike Altrincham 10K, Presented by SportsShoes.com.”
As for SportShoes, brand manager Gavin Bannister added: “The energy around this year’s 10K will be electric, and we can’t wait to see everyone out there chasing their goals and celebrating the power of running.
“From our own athletes to first-time runners, this event is all about showing up, pushing limits, and being part of something truly special, and that is what Nike and Sportsshoes.com are all about.”
Entries are still open for any of those interested in a last-minute place in the race on Sunday, 7 September – you can sign up HERE.
Manchester United’s Stadium Sleep Out returns for 2025
Danny Jones
Man United have announced the return of the annual Stadium Sleep Out for 2025, with a bigger fundraising target than ever.
Following a hugely successful inaugural edition back in 2022, the now annual Stadium Sleep Out at Old Trafford is back for another year, with more eyes on the crucial charity event than ever.
Confirming the date for the first stadium sleepover as the colder months approach, people from all over Greater Manchester are being invited to come and help generate money for the local homeless community.
For anyone unfamiliar with the fundraiser, United supporters, general football fans and all manner of Mancs are encouraged to come and take part in the Sleep Out that is held under the lights of the famous football ground.
Raising funds in support of relevant local charities that not only help homeless people throughout the North West and beyond, but have a special focus on vulnerable young adults, to amounts generated go towards helping rough sleepers around the region.
A cause we’re sure you’ll agree we can all get behind.
Make that more like £40,000 raised with Centrpoint last year.
Speaking on the most recent iteration of the Stadium Sleep Out, former academy graduate and now retired pro Danny Simpson told The Manc: “I’m a local boy, so it means something to me to try and help my community in any way I can.
“I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact the Foundation has, and it’s been great to hear about the work they’re doing – it’s been a really positive night.”
Not only is it a touching way to try and raise money for a national crisis, but it’s a window into the prevailing hardships of homelessness.
All participants must be 18 years of age or older, but if you’re interested in swapping your bed for a sleeping bag on 7 November, you can find out more HERE.
Danny Jones -
10th June 2025 
