Manchester City FC launch new City Football Schools season in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, January 10, 2016: Manchester City FC manager Manuel Pellegrini and star goalkeeper Joe Hart have spoken of their enthusiasm at seeing so many young players in Abu Dhabi being taught by coaches from the Club.

City Football Schools Abu Dhabi starts a new term next week on the outdoor pitches at Zayed Sports City and NYU-Abu Dhabi.

A team of ten coaches, who all worked at Manchester City, will coach boys and girls from the ages of three to 16 in all areas of the game as well as how to behave both on and off the pitch.

And with the recent expansion of the coaching team, there are places available for youngsters to join up this year.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “After seeing the City Football Schools Abu Dhabi in action myself, I know the Club are really taking the best coaching methods to children abroad.

“The links with Abu Dhabi are obviously strong and what happens there is the same as how we train everyone at the Club here in Manchester.

“It is very important there is a Manchester City FC way of doing things and I look forward to hearing about the progress of City Football Schools Abu Dhabi in the future.”

The training sessions in Abu Dhabi are the same as those put on for all teams in Manchester – from youth level to the first team.

That means young players in Abu Dhabi learn to score goals like Sergio Aguero, defend like captain Vincent Kompany and master ball skills like David Silva.

There are also specialist sessions, including coaching for goalkeepers.

First team keeper Joe Hart, who also plays for England, added: “We all have a job to do in the team but we are very aware of what is being done with the youth and the standard of coaching is very, very high.

“The positive steps that have been made in that direction are there for all to see.”