Stuttgart's Krucken appointed Academy Director at Manchester City
Thomas Krucken: Has trained more than 60 players for the Bundesliga and the German national side
Written by Training Ground Guru — August 14, 2023
VFB Stuttgart’s Thomas Krucken has succeeded Jason Wilcox as Manchester City’s Academy Director.
Wilcox left the club after more than a decade at the end of last season to become Director of Football at Southampton. Charlotte O’Neill has been working as Acting Academy Manager following his departure and is now set to move back to her previous position of Director of Operations and Development.
Krucken, 45, is a UEFA Pro Licence holder and has been Stuttgart’s Head of Youth Development since the summer of 2019. Before this he was Head Youth Coach at Mainz and has also worked at Hoffenheim, Arminia Bielefeld, Hertha Berlin and Cologne, as well as for City for a year between 2000 and 2001.
City say Krucken has trained more than 60 players for the Bundesliga and the German national side. In May 2023 he also completed the Sporting Director course at the German Football Association.
Krucken said: “This is an opportunity I could not turn down. Everyone knows Manchester City have one of the best Academy set-ups in world football. The chance to come here and build on their amazing work of recent years is one that really excites me.
“Everything City’s Academy stands for matches my values. They play an outstanding style of football, defined by keeping the ball and attacking the opposition. It’s brilliant to watch.
“But they also place heavy emphasis on producing good human beings. This Academy is designed to ensure young players are not only technically proficient with high football IQ, but also well educated, respectful and thoughtful.
“It’s exactly how an Academy should be set up and I can’t wait to get started and introduce some new ideas and practices.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Thomas is a great person who has an excellent track record in youth football. He has a vision for where our Academy needs to be over the next five to ten years. His ideas match with ours, which is a great starting point.
“Over recent years, our Academy has produced so many top-class players. Some have made their way into the first team and others have moved on and are having successful careers elsewhere.
“We are very, very proud of our track record. I believe Thomas can build on that success and make us even better. We will provide him with everything he needs to ensure our Academy remains the best and I can’t wait to start working with him.”
Krucken will officially take up his new position after he serves his notice period with Stuttgart.
