We are delighted to have an in-depth feature on Yui Hasegawa, who is rapidly becoming one of the most important members of Gareth Taylor's side.
The Japanese midfielder has been outstanding of late and she reveals how her grasp of English is coming along in this revealing interview.
Yui is the first of our double-cover stars, sharing duties with Nathan Ake.
Ake is a model professional who is admired and liked by all who know him, and what a season he's having...
Here he speaks about the season so far and what is still to come in the weeks that remain of the 2022/23 campaign.
Esme Morgan and Chloe Kelly also appear in this edition, as City's FA WSL title chase nears a thrilling conclusion.
Elsewhere, London rapper Blanco explains why and how he became a lifelong City fan and our Best XI has a special Manchester theme ahead of a potential Wembley match-up?
Staying with the FA Cup, our 'War of the Roses' feature looks at a husband and wife who might not necessarily be communicating with each other after this month's FA Cup semi-final.
Also, we have our usual focus on youth with Shea Charles and Max Alleyne in the spotlight.
And our cover story covers the first City Mag issue with Kevin Keegan at the wheel from 2002 - plus the interview that went with it.
We also have Marc Riley, Kevin Cummins and a couple of excellent photo galleries featuring Jack Grealish and a 'best of' March selection of images.
Andy Morrison predicts the scores of next month’s matches plus, as always, loads more.
Enjoy the issue!
It’s certainly not the response we were expecting when Yui Hasegawa was asked about learning English, but the Japanese international explains that the American comedy drama has been assigned to her as homework from her weekly lessons.
Unlike Lorelai or Rory Gilmore, her ambitions during a standout debut campaign are a little loftier than owning her own inn or getting into Harvard though.
Instead, Hasegawa has her sights firmly set on claiming silverware in her first season at the Academy Stadium.
The midfielder made the switch to the Barclays Women’s Super League back in 2021, when she ended a brief stint at AC Milan by moving to West Ham United.
Hasegawa turned plenty of heads during her time at the Hammers and twice won the WSL Goal of the Month award, the first of which for an audacious 40-yard lob against her current employers!
But after just over a year in London, City came calling. It was another big decision for the Japanese international – just 25 at the time – to make.
It’s for this reason that the squad’s close-knit bond has been so significant for the midfielder, but she’s quick to highlight one particular player with which she’s struck up an instant connection.
“When I was in London there were other Japanese players not far from me. Over here in Manchester there aren’t many Japanese friends," says Hasegawa.
“There’s one at Liverpool but it’s difficult to meet up with her, that’s the biggest difference I’ve found so far.
“It’s Chloe [Kelly] who has helped me most. She talks to me in a way I understand, slowly and looks after me outside of the pitch as well.
“She’s been very friendly in the normal daily life. I think she’s a person who has helped me most to settle.”
That’s not to suggest there were any early teething problems for Hasegawa – a deadline day signing in September 2022.
Indeed, while the Japanese international had to wait over a month to make her debut due to a combination of an international break and injury, it was certainly worth the wait.
She went straight into the team ahead of our first home match of the season against Leicester and had offered the typical blend of sharp passing and relentless energy that fans are now accustomed to.
But as stoppage time approached with City already three goals to the good, the midfielder cap off a memorable first afternoon in blue in the best possible fashion.
Picking up play on the edge of the box from Kerstin Casparij, Hasegawa tried her luck from distance, rifling an unstoppable drive into the far corner of the visiting net as stoppage time approached.
Instantly mobbed by her team-mates, it was the perfect introduction for a player who, despite her relatively shy demeanour, has never once wilted under the spotlight.
It’s a moment which she still savours to this day, but another memorable performance also sticks out when she’s asked to reflect on her time at the Club so far.
“Personally, the first goal, that’s the most memorable,” she explains.
“But as a team it was the game against Arsenal [City 2-1 Arsenal].
“We’d lost to them before that, and that game was very important. We were all really pleased that we won that game.”
The victory Hasegawa is referring to could prove one of our most significant in a 2022/23 campaign which is rapidly gaining momentum.
As she mentions, City had fallen to a gut-wrenching extra time defeat at the hands of Arsenal in the Continental Cup semi-finals just three days before we welcomed the Gunners back to the Academy Stadium for a crucial Barclays Women’s Super League clash.
But Gareth Taylor’s side would have our revenge in Manchester, blowing the Londoners away with a relentless first half display in which Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly both found the net.
Hasegawa and co. had once again stood up to the challenge and shown our mettle when it really mattered.
Since then, another battling performance at the Academy Stadium has seen us get the better of reigning WSL champions Chelsea for the first time in 11 league matches, with the 2-0 scoreline the first occasion in which Emma Hayes’ side have failed to score this season.
It’s results and displays such as this which mean the Japanese international’s eyes light up when the conversation turns towards a potential league crown come season’s end.
“We didn’t have a brilliant start but now we’ve been improving all the time and scoring many goals,” she smiles.
“And we have many brilliant players as well, so we want to show what good quality we have.
“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season. Only a few years ago I never even dreamt of playing in England, but I have realised that ambition so I’m really excited [about what’s to come].
“When I was playing in Japan, we won lots of trophies but now I’m in England in the world leading league and we have a possibility of winning the league, I’m so excited.”
But for all of City’s remarkable attacking talent across the pitch, it’s Hasegawa’s diligent defensive work, positional intelligence and technical quality which keeps the well-oiled machine ticking over.
While certainly different in stature, like men’s equivalent Rodrigo, time and again it’s the Japanese international who maintains City’s tempo in possession and is the first to anticipate and quell any danger at the base of the midfield three.
It’s a selfless role that, surprisingly, is new to a midfielder who had previously operated in a more advanced position for club and country before her move to the Academy Stadium.
However, under the guidance of Gareth Taylor, Hasegawa has made a role which – while not often gaining external praise or fervour, boasts an immeasurable importance to the collective.
And with typical humility, the 26-year-old interprets her function as one that is primarily focused on simply bringing the best out of her team-mates.
She pauses to consider the question before responding: “There are many good players, so my role is to help them to pick up the second ball.
“My role isn’t to stand out, but to support other good players. That’s how I understand it.
“I used to play in a more advanced position, but Gareth Taylor values my ability to anticipate the ball.
“So, with his help I have developed a wider skillset in my playing ability. He always talks to me in a positive way and encourages me, so he’s a very big and important person to me.
“Because I played further forward, I know what those players need and what’s expected of me to help them do their thing. That works for me.
“I also used to work in the same formation in Japan. I wasn’t in the six, but I know what’s expected of me to play in this formation.”
City Magazine talks to one of our outstanding performers this season, Nathan Ake…
The definition of the unsung hero in its literal form is ‘one who does great deeds but receives little recognition in return for them’.
Nathan Ake is highly respected and popular among the City fans, there is no question of that.
But it is perhaps the work he’s put in this season that has elevated him from unsung hero to something grander – in short, he is finally receiving the recognition he deserves.
For many, Ake is a strong contender for Manchester City's Etihad Player of the Season given his consistency and high levels of performance from the first game of the campaign onwards.
Pep Guardiola calls him “an exceptional guy” and says he is exceeding even the loftiest of expectations – and you won’t find a City fan who disagrees with either assessment.
“I’m just enjoying the moment really, and every week you play you feel more you get in a rhythm,” says Ake of his season to date.
“I felt from the start of the season straight away that I had the trust of the manager and that just helps you grow and grow and from there it just went upwards and I’m happy that it’s going the way that it is and hope it continues.”
City supporter message boards have been littered with Ake tributes, too.
He is a player who never lets the team down and gives his all every time he plays. That quiet and focused dedication sometimes slips under the radar, but not of late.
In fact, Ake says he is well aware of the warmth and respect he is receiving from the Club’s supporters.
“I do (know what is being written and said) to be fair,” smiled the affable Dutch international.
"I appreciate it a lot first of all, and I get a lot of messages which is very nice. It means a lot that people are trying to acknowledge what you are trying to do."
“Ultimately, they are coming to watch the games and they want to enjoy themselves and I’m happy and humbled when I get messages like I have been receiving, and it makes me proud and want to do even better each time I play.”
Ake’s popularity is not only confined to City fans, either.
Last month, Nathan returned to former club Bournemouth for the first time since leaving and the standing ovation that was afforded to him when he was substituted echoed around all four stands of the Vitality Stadium.
It was the Cherries’ fans opportunity to say thank you for a player they still clearly think very highly of.
“It was very nice,” he smiled.
“I had a good time there – it was a real family club. Everyone knew each other and you got to know a lot of the fans because you’d see each other in town! It was nice to be there again, see some of the staff and some of my old team-mates as well as get that sort of reception from the supporters was extra special.
“I left the club during Covid times, so I didn’t get to say goodbye properly, but I thought it was a nice touch from the Bournemouth fans and I really enjoyed it.”
One of Ake’s strengths is undoubtedly his versatility.
Switching from centre-back to left-back is not the easiest task in the world, especially if you are a Manchester City player who will get additional duties, but Nathan switches from one to the other effortlessly.
“It's OK for me in fairness because throughout my career I’ve switched positions a little bit every now and then so it’s not new as in ‘new’ to me,” he said.
“The last few years I’ve been playing centre-back, but the manager knows exactly what he wants from me, and he’s been saying it at team meetings and stuff, so I know what to do and when I go into a game it’s like, ‘OK, this is what I’ve been asked to do’ and I focus on that.
“I always watch the winger I am up against when I do play left-back, but it doesn’t necessarily tell you what they are going to do on the day – you are up against top players, so they can change their game and make adjustments.
"But you try and see little patterns in their play – what they do regularly – and it can help you, even if it’s only 1% - because that can make a difference."
“The manager never says ‘you can only do this’ or ‘you can only defend’- he expects you to attack, but he also knows I’m not the same as Joao Cancelo who can dribble past two or three players. I’m more of a defender and more of a centre-back, so we are different sorts of players, but everyone knows that.
“I’m just trying to learn every game because I know defensively what more or less what I have to do, but maybe there are things attacking-wise I can improve on – that’s why I look at every game and think that possibly I can be more effective going forward while still defending and not losing that part of the game.
“Every day I’m looking to improve in training and in every game too, but there are always improvements to be made.”
One of the first to arrive at training and one of the last to leave, Ake is a popular squad member and is liked by one all at the Club.
Unassuming, laid-back, and respectful, he enjoys family life away from football, as well as walking his dogs, learning the piano, and playing the guitar.
Switching off is important, particular as the Blues enter what is likely to be a nip and tuck battle with Arsenal for the coveted Premier League title.
With only two months of the campaign remaining, he says the squad are focused on what they need to do and fairly relaxed about the challenge ahead.
If knowledge truly is power, City’s past experiences in sprints to the finish line could be key in the weeks that remain – something Nathan agrees with.
“I think so,” he says. “Everyone has been here, and last season was tight until the very end with a lot of ups and downs so we know that everything can change really quickly.
“We can win one game and they (Arsenal) can lose, and everything looks different - or we could drop points and they could win and suddenly they’re away – it’s so close but we know we have to just focus on ourselves.
“The last few games we have been much better, and we had found some consistency.
“The atmosphere is really good, and everyone is relaxed about it, but at the same time we know we have to perform in all the competitions we are still in – the Champions League and the FA Cup as well as the Premier League – and we know at this stage of the season, it’s the business end and all about winning games consistently.
“We know what we have to do because we’ve done it before.”
Our former skipper, now head coach of the Sri Lanka national team, looks ahead to April’s busy fixture list…
This game worries me. Liverpool – at the time of writing – look like they are getting important players back from injury and I still think they’ll make a big push for the top four in the last two months of the season. That makes this a tough game because they’ll also want to prove a point. We were unlucky to lose at Anfield earlier this season and I think we’ll have to come from behind in this game – I originally thought this would be a draw, but we have to win.
Mozzer’s prediction: City 3-1 Liverpool
Losing to Southampton in the Carabao Cup was a bit of a shock to say the least, but it was an off-night for us, and the balance of the team wasn’t quite right. Even if Saints do turn up again, we will have learned a lot about them since January and I expect us to win comfortably.
Mozzer’s prediction: Saints 0-3 City
A huge game between two evenly-matched sides. It will be close, and we need to remember this is over two legs, so it will only be half-time when we finish this game. I’m expecting a fantastic atmosphere and expect us to edge the first leg – just.
Mozzer’s prediction: City 2-1 Bayern Munich
Leicester are in the middle of a relegation battle, and they might find themselves in the Championship at the rate they are going. I don’t see them causing us any problems and think it will be fairly comfortable.
Mozzer’s prediction: City 4-0 Leicester
Off we go to the Allianz Arena and our destiny in this year’s Champions League. I have seen Bayern against Barcelona and PSG and they saw both off impressively, but this City team is better than both those sides. I think Bayern will win the game, but then it will go to penalties, and we will win the shootout and go into the semis to play Real Madrid or Chelsea.
Mozzer’s prediction: Bayern Munich 1-0 City*
Impossible to see anything other than a City win. The gap between the Championship and the Premier League is sizeable and I can’t see how the Blades can win this one. They can opt to defend deep and try and fend us off for as long as possible, but it would be a dangerous game if they did. We know if we win, we might have a Manchester derby to look forward to in the final, and I think we’ll have won the game by 70 minutes.
Mozzer’s prediction: City 4-1 Sheffield United
The last thing we want is for Arsenal to know that, even if they lose this, the title race is still in their own hands. Everything seems to have been going their way and that win over Bournemouth was huge, because it gave them that belief that destiny is with them. Because of our involvement in cup matches, they could have a sizeable lead by the time we play them, but we will have a few games in hand. We just have to win this, and I think we will.
Mozzer’s prediction: City 1-0 Arsenal
Aleksandr Mitrovic is a big loss for Fulham, and they look a bit toothless without him. Craven Cottage has always been a good ground for us and I don’t see anything other than three points to round up the month.
Mozzer’s prediction: Fulham 0-2 City
How did Mozzer do last month – and how’s the season going?
Andy got four out of four results right (Newcastle, Leipzig, Palace, and Burnley) and predicted the 2-0 scoreline against Newcastle correctly.
So far, he has predicted 26 results out of 34 correctly, and got three scorelines spot-on.
City’s Premier League number fours...
The introduction of squad numbers came at the beginning of the Premier League era.
Prior to that, numbers were chosen for players on a match-by-match basis depending on their position on the pitch.
Come the early nineties, players had the power to pick their number and keep it for the season.
It led to a boom in shirt sales as the biggest names became synonymous with a number.
Given April is the fourth month of the year, we’ve taken a look at the history of City’s number fours.
There’s one man in particular that stands out but plenty have worn the shirt.
Steve McMahon (1993-94)
A box-to-box midfielder, McMahon had represented Everton, Aston Villa and Liverpool with distinction between 1979 and 1991 before moving to Maine Road.
Widely regarded as one of football’s toughest competitors in an era of hard men, McMahon played 87 times for City between 1991 and 1994 as we maintained our top-flight status.
Maurizio Gaudino (1994-95)
Gaudino arrived at City, on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt, with a reputation of being something of a footballing rock star.
In his one season, the German Italian added more than just a touch of flair and invention to the City midfield with his exotic array of flicks, tricks and individual skill and he was soon a big favourite among the City fans.
Steve Lomas (1995-96)
Having been in our first team since 1991, energetic midfielder Lomas moved from No.21 to No.4 in 1995.
Before leaving for West Ham in 1997 after relegation to the First Division, Lomas played 118 times for City alongside midfielders like Garry Flitcroft, Nicky Summerbee, Peter Beagrie and Georgi Kinkladze.
Gerard Wiekens (2000-04)
Dutch defender and holding midfielder Wiekens moved to Maine Road from now defunct club BV Veendam in 1997 and was our Player of the Season in 1998/99 – the campaign which saw us dramatically return to the second tier.
He was number four for our return to the Premier League in 2000 but unfortunately for Wiekens, he featured less and less as the seasons went on. He was released in May 2004 but is fondly remembered by all City fans for his role in getting the club back to the top flight.
Stephen Jordan (2006-07)
The left-back who burst into the first team in 2004 by keeping Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo quiet during a Manchester derby wore No.41 for much of his City career.
He moved to No.4 for the final season of his time with the Club and left for Burnley in 2007 after playing 64 times.
Nedum Onuoha (2007-10)
An outstanding junior sprinter and highly academic youngster, Onuoha appeared in City’s side in the 2004/05 season while still just 17.
The versatile defender wore No.16 early in his City career but moved to No.4 as he pushed harder and harder for regular first team opportunities.
Regarded as a true professional throughout his time at the Etihad, Onuoha moved to Sunderland on a season-long loan in 2010 before a permanent departure for QPR in January 2012.
His first return to City as an opponent was in the iconic 93:20 match that saw Sergio Aguero win the Premier League title for City.
Vincent Kompany (2010-19)
One of the Club’s greatest players, most inspirational captains and legendary figures. Kompany was one of the first of our future title winners to be in place in Manchester, joining from Hamburg in August 2008.
Kompany started life at City in midfield and with No.33 on his back but in 2010, the Belgian moved permanently to central defence and quickly became a world leader in the role.
He took the captaincy in 2011/12 after helping to win the FA Cup and remained the Club captain until his departure in 2019, an incredible four Premier League titles later.
A leader in defence, he played a key hand in an attacking sense in the run in to several titles; scoring the only goal against rivals Manchester United in 2012, in the final day win over West Ham in 2014 and the long range hit against Leicester City in 2019.
In total, Kompany played 360 times for City and is now permanently remembered with his own statue outside the Etihad Stadium.
Kalvin Phillips (2022-)
After Kompany’s departure, it was only natural that the No.4 would remain untouched for a few seasons.
England midfielder Kalvin Phillips is the first custodian of the number since Kompany having worn it for his national side.
Phillips provides another option in the holding midfield role that Rodrigo has made his own in recent seasons and will be hoping, now that he is fully fit, to have a strong end to his first season in Manchester.
Elite Development Squad skipper Shea Charles says the prospect of helping City potentially make history this season by becoming the first side to win three successive Premier League 2 titles is inspiring all the players.
As the season enters its decisive final furlong, the City youngsters are ideally poised to make it a hat-trick of title wins.
With six games remaining, ahead of our trip to Tottenham on Monday, April 3, our Under-21s hold a two-point lead on nearest challengers Chelsea and also have two games in hand on the Londoners.
Charles, who has been in outstanding form all campaign, says City can draw comfort from the lessons of the last two campaigns which ended in silverware.
And he credits the close bond within Brian Barry-Murphy’s group as one of the key components in our success this term.
“Trying to achieve three successive titles is definitely something to try and go for,” the captain said.
“To win it three years in a row would be crazy. We’ve done it with the Under 18s but never in PL2 so it’s something special to try and aim for."
“We have been in this position (fighting for the PL2 title) before in the past couple of years so hopefully we can do it again.
“It’s a great group of lads and you can’t put a price on that bond and team spirit. Everyone gets on and mixes well with each other and you can’t ask for much more than that.
“I have been here at the Club since I was seven, so I think there’s only me and Micah Hamilton left from that group.
“But though there have been a lot of new people who have come in in the years since, it’s easy to get on with everyone and you can’t put a price on that.”
Away from his duties at City, Charles has also enjoyed the distinction of having become a key member of the Northern Ireland international set up.
The 19-year-old was awarded his maiden cap in a UEFA Nations League clash against Greece last summer.
Since then, he has gone on to win six caps in total, the latest coming in last month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.
And Shea says coming on from the bench to win his inaugural cap at Windsor Park was a moment that would stay with him for ever.
“Yeah, it was a very proud moment for me and my family,” he recalled.
“My Mum and my brother and a couple of friends came over to watch the game and a lot of my family who are from Ireland were able to watch as well."
“I was lucky enough to play four games last year and that was amazing.
“And then I was picked for the EURO 2024 qualifiers against San Marino and Finland recently so that was great having another week away with the group.
“I found it is really easy to get along with everyone.
“Jonny Evans and Steven Davis are the main leaders in the group and they welcome you and there are a few younger players in the group who I get along with really well, too.
“It was easy to get involved.
“It’s obviously a lot more physical as you are playing against men rather than just people of your own age.
“That is the main difference I have found.
“Obviously, everything is a lot quicker as well, but I have really enjoyed it.”
Charles isn’t the only senior international within Barry-Murphy’s group.
Teenage defender Thomas Galvez earned his first senior cap with Finland in January while midfielder Alex Robertson won his maiden Australian cap late last month when coming on as a substitute for the Socceroos in their 3-1 win against Ecuador in Sydney.
For Charles, its further proof positive of the rich abundance of talent with the Under-21 ranks – and should also hopefully serve as an inspiration for the rest of the Academy.
“I think it just shows the quality in the group as we’ve also got a few lads been called up for the younger England age groups which is another huge positive,” Shea pointed out.
“I think it just reflects really well on the whole group and the talent in the squad.
“I feel me, Alex and Tom playing for our respective countries at senior level also helps with those players who want to try and get into the international scene themselves.
“Just playing at Under-21 level and still playing for our countries is brilliant.”
Here’s the ‘ones to watch’ in City’s Premier League fixtures in April…
City v Liverpool: Saturday, 1 April
CITY STAR: Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez has been in sensational form during 2023, scoring seven goals and registering six assists in all competitions this calendar year.
The Algerian ace was on target the last time we faced Jurgen Klopp’s side when he coolly netted in our 3-2 Carabao Cup victory at the Etihad Stadium in December 2022.
In FPL this term, he has accumulated 83 points.
ONE TO WATCH: Mohamed Salah
Salah is Liverpool’s highest points scorer this season so far with 154 and he enters the meeting having scored three goals in his previous three outings.
Southampton v City: Sunday, 8 April
CITY STAR: Nathan Ake
As Southampton have registered the fifth least number of goals in the Premier League, bringing in a City defender may prove a masterstroke.
Nathan Ake has gained 17 points in his previous three league outings and he played in the reverse fixture where Pep Guardiola’s side recorded a 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium over Ruben Selles’ side.
ONE TO WATCH: James Ward-Prowse
Southampton’s talismanic Ward-Prowse is the Saints’ dangerman going into the match at St Mary’s Stadium. He has registered 105 points from midfield this campaign and has scored seven goals this season.
City v Leicester: Sunday, 15 April
CITY STAR: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the highest scoring FPL players across the entire Premier League roster. He has a total of 129 points to his name.
And his magical free-kick in the reverse fixture at the King Power Stadium in October 2022 separated the sides in a 1-0 victory for Guardiola’s side.
ONE TO WATCH: James Maddison
The England international is enjoying another strong campaign despite the Foxes’ struggles in 2022/23. He has accumulated 105 points in FPL – the highest for Leicester.
City v Arsenal: Wednesday, 26 April
CITY STAR: Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish has quickly become one of the first names on City’s teamsheet in recent weeks due to his glistening performances on the wing.
This saw him crowned the Etihad Player of the Month for February – while he has gained a total of 81 FPL points in 2022/23.
In the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium, he scored the second goal in our crucial 3-1 win in north London.
ONE TO WATCH: Bukayo Saka
Saka has been one of the standout stars in the Premier League this season and has been at the heart of Arsenal’s immense attacking play. He’s scored 12 goals and registered 11 assists and tallied 170 FPL points.
Fulham v City: Sunday, 30 April
CITY STAR: Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland is the highest scoring FPL player this season with 203 points.
So far this campaign he has scored 42 in all competitions and 28 league goals – a City record for most in a Premier League term.
And he scored the winning goal the first time we faced Fulham this term with a last-gasp penalty in our 2-1 victory.
ONE TO WATCH: Andreas Perreira
The Brazilian scored in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium in our 2-1 victory, but has enjoyed a strong first season in London with 10 assists. His total of 100 points is the Cottagers’ second highest.
In this episode I’d like to introduce you to a certain Howard Bootle. His back story and City credentials require no set up in this introduction as his answers go into such great depth below. I will however mention the fact that Howard's dad was a City player himself. Billy Bootle - who donned the sky blue colours between the years 1946 and 1950.
This is a deep dive into Howard's fascinating life as a member of the Blue Army.
Read on!
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF GOING TO A FOOTBALL MATCH?
My earliest memory of a football match was going past Old Trafford by chance with my dad, aged about 8, about 4.30pm in the mid 60s when they opened the gates to let people out. My dad, the stingy so and so, got us in without paying and I remember sitting on his shoulders watching United for the last 15 minutes and score a late goal. Hated the noise, the smoke, the swearing and the crush. Had a mental block on United ever since.
WHAT IS THE MOST PECULIAR OR MEMORABLE THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU AT A CITY GAME?
I remember arriving at Wembley in 1976 to see City play Newcastle in the League Cup Final. My first final. Our coach had left early in the morning and we got there about 11am, one of the first City coaches to arrive and Wembley Way was a sea of black and white. We were a bit hesitant and well outnumbered. One of the lads, Nige Pickles, said we should walk down Wembley Way and make ourselves known. The Geordies were 'merry' already, but absolutely brilliant, crazy and genuine. They gave us whisky, pies, shook our hands, we had some great banter with them. When Peter and Dennis scored, we were ecstatic. First trip to Wembley and a trophy, the best day of my life so far, aged 17 at the time.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND PREVENT ONE MATCH FROM BEING PLAYED - WHAT MATCH WOULD THAT BE - AND WHY?
Has to be City v Luton 1982/83 season when we were relegated to the old Second Division on the last day. The blackest day ever. Utter devastation. Total despair. The late goal by Raddy Antic and David Pleat skipping around the pitch celebrating. Remember feeling totally numb. That was the start of the spiral in the clubs fortunes. The malaise had started in 1978/79 with the return of Allison who sold some of our best players, but the defeat to Luton poleaxed the club - and we never really got back on track until the Gillingham game in '99 or Keegan's reign. I wish that game never took place as the fans on the day behaved badly and the following years were tough - no money, players leaving, seemed like a new manager every year, poor player recruitment and opposition fans shouting 'Swalesy, Swalesy, give us a wave!'
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE CITY GOAL YOU HAVE WITNESSED (“Aguerooooooooo…” aside…)?
So many to choose from - I loved Tueart's overhead bicycle kick, Aguerooooo's 'drink it in' moment, symbolic in so many ways, Kinky's solo dribble - but the one I would choose would be Yaya's Carabao Cup final equaliser against Sunderland in 2014. The game had been poor for 50 minutes and we were losing. Nothing going right, typical City, all the way to Wembley to perform like that. Then out of the blue Yaya bends this 30-yard screamer into the top corner, top bins, and we're level. Pile on. Fans screaming, madness in the stands. A game-changer. The team goes up a few gears, dominates, ruthless, and we romp it 3-1. What a cracking night that was. A statement that we were never again gonna be typical City.
HAVE YOU EVER MET ONE OF YOUR MAN CITY HEROES… IF SO - WHO…AND HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE!
I've only met a few - mostly from the 70s and 80s - Big Joe, Tommy B, Colin Hendry, Gary O - but Peter Barnes has become a good mate. He became President of our club, Davyhulme AFC, and presented our end of season awards. He's my age and both our dads's played for City, mine in the 40s and Peter's dad Ken in the 50s. They both played against 'Wor' Jackie Milburn. My old fella's first game back after two years of National Service in 1948 was in a 1-0 win against Newcastle, and Ken played in the 1955 FA Cup final and then you have Peter's heroics in 1976. There's always been a spooky alignment with Newcastle. Had a few long chats with Peter about the Club and I bought his autobiography a few years ago. He should have played many more times for England, a brilliant player, so skilful, loved it when he sat Tottenham's Pat Jennings on his backside and chipped him for one of his best ever goals
WHAT ARE YOUR MEMORIES OF THE LAST MATCH AT MAINE ROAD?
I was sad to see us leave Maine Road after 80 years and even more sad that we couldn't leave on a high and win our last match there. Think we lost 1-0 to Southampton putting in another 'typical' display of dominating the game, but ending up on the losing side.
The ground was falling apart though, bad toilets and turnstiles and the rooves never looked right - all at different heights with nothing matching in design or shape. My company, John Laing, built the North Stand in '73 and put the Main Stand roof on in '79 - the architect got the idea for the 'troughed' roof from visiting a racetrack in the Middle East.
AS YOU LEFT THE GROUND WHAT WERE YOUR EMOTIONS?
I wasn't too emotional about moving because my company, Laing O'Rourke, had built the Commonwealth Games Stadium and was completing the work and new pitch levels required to convert it into the City of Manchester Stadium ready for the 2003/04 season. I'd visited the site during construction and my sadness at losing Maine Road was replaced with optimism and excitement for the new season.
WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT MAINE ROAD?
The only thing I miss about Maine Road, looking back now, is the atmosphere and the buzz in the Kippax crowd. The gallows humour when things don't go so well. I've got plenty of great memories of 4-0 and 5-1 wins against United and a 10-1 against Huddersfield, of Bell Lee and Summerbee, Doyle and Marsh, Jimmy Grimble (ha! ha!), but bad memories of the dangerous cobbled alleyways around Maine Road, being asked the time so the locals could gauge your accent - the tension walking back to your car on a dark cold winters night and the relief when you finally got back ... and found it was still there ... with fully inflated tyres!
WHATS YOUR MOST DISASTROUS AWAY GAME EXPERIENCE?
I didn't have the time to get to too many away games as they tended to take up a full day and I also played football at weekends. However, one game that did turn into a disaster was Luton away in 1975. It was a horrible little ground, loads of trouble breaking out. We drew 1-1 with a goal from Tueart, but conceded a late equaliser. The coach got surrounded on the way back and attacked. The driver did so well to get us home with no front windscreen and about 10 smashed windows! Such a long journey back as well as we got lost, everyone was freezing. Dreadful.
WHO IS YOUR MOST FAVOURITE CITY PLAYER OF ALL TIME?
My dad's favourite favourite player was Peter Doherty having played with him during the war leagues. Sam Barkas and Frank Swift a close 2nd and 3rd.
I've enjoyed watching Bell, Tueart, Bernabia and the current crop of Aguero, De Bruyne, Foden but the player I've enjoyed watching the most over the 10 years he played for the Club has been David Silva. Merlin - The Magician - El Mago - he made the game look easy and it was to him. His vision outstanding. His control, his passing, his decision-making, his temperament, his wand of a left foot, his turn when receiving the ball, always going forward, his passing to Sane behind the fullbacks, his set-ups for Aguero, his ball to Dzeko in the 6-1. He was a maestro, so glad we honoured him with a statue. He inspired me and I miss his impact on our game.
IF YOU COULD PICK ONE CURRENT CITY PLAYER TO BE ON YOUR PUB QUIZ TEAM - WHO WOULD IT BE - AND WHY?
The current player I would most like on my quiz team is Manuel Akanji. He's very clever, eloquent, erudite and is a maths genius with a very fast mental capacity. He's a leader and organiser. He speaks several languages, is well travelled and very experienced. He'd be an asset for anybody's pub quiz team.
PICS
* Photo of City in 1948 before the Aston Villa away game. My dad, William Bootle known as Billy, sat on the end in front of Joe Fagan.
* (above) Photo of City v Barrow in FA Cup 3rd Round in 1946. City won 6-2 - dad in background arrowed.
(above) Photo of me and my eldest son, Mike.
There are no Manchester derbies scheduled for the remainder of the season, though both City and United were still in the FA Cup at the time of writing…
Crossing the city to play for your rivals is a path that is overgrown with weeds and in a state of disrepair – it certainly doesn’t happen very often.
But we’ve managed to cobble a Best XI from those who have…
GK: Peter Schmeichel
The Danish keeper spent eight years at Manchester United’s No.1, making close on 400 appearances. He joined City for the final year of his career in 2002-03, though it’s fair to say he didn’t find it easy to play in sky blue!
RB: John Gidman
John Gidman was a swashbuckling right-back who spent five years with United before joining City in 1986. He stayed with us for two years and did a decent job, too.
LB: Owen Hargreaves
It’s not easy finding many defenders who have switched allegiances so Owen Hargreaves, a midfielder by trade, slots in at left-back in this team. Injuries decimated Hargreaves’ career, and his four years at United yielded just 39 games – and he only managed four for City in 2011/12.
CB: Wyn Davies
So bereft of defenders is this best XI that the towering Wyn Davies will have to be an emergency centre-back. That means we have to go as a back three with wing-backs – and hope for the best!
RWB: Terry Cooke
Terry Cooke started at United, but injuries meant he played just a handful of games. While on loan with Wrexham, he impressed City boss Joe Royle and he joined in 1999, staying until 2002. Cooke will have to go right-wing back in this Manchester X!.
LWB: Peter Barnes
Though Peter Barnes will always be a true Blue, he did have a very brief time with United towards the end of a long, distinguished career. Barnsey at his peak would easily solve our left wing-back crisis!
MID: Sammy McIllroy
Like Schmeichel, Sammy McIllroy’s ties with United meant his stay with City was brief. The Northern Ireland midfielder was at the end of his career when he joined City and he gets a holding midfielder role in this side.
MID: Peter Beardsley
The talented attacking midfielder started out at United but would make his name at Liverpool, Newcastle, and Everton before a brief loan spell with City. He will be the creator-in-chief of this XI.
MID: Billy Meredith
Not a natural role for Billy Meredith who had who had two spells with City with a controversial move to United sandwiched in-between. A wonderful outside right, Meredith was also a great athlete so joins Beardsley in the creativity department.
FWD: Denis Law
The predatory striker who, like Meredith, enjoyed two spells with City that bookended his career – though it was his exploits at Old Trafford that brought him the most fame.
FWD: Carlos Tevez (captain)
Carlos Tevez’s move from United to City still rankles among the Reds. It was not only a great signing by the Blues. It signalled that the so-called ‘Noisy Neighbours’ were about to get very loud indeed. What a player – and also our skipper.
Subs:
Tony Coton, Shaun Goater, Andy Cole, Brian Kidd, Jon Macken, Jadon Sancho, Mark Robins, Andrei Kanchelskis, Peter Bodak
Dubbed as ‘the future of British rap’, London-born artist Blanco is also a huge City fan – City Magazine caught up with the 24-year-old rising star…
City Mag (CM): For anyone new to your music, how would you best describe your work?
Blanco: “It’s like a wave of different sounds, you’ll hear Brazilian funk vibes, and you’ll hear the streets of London.”
CM: Who are your musical influences?
Blanco: “My musical influences are mostly American. 50 Cent was someone I grew up admiring and nowadays NBA Youngboy. These are my influences because of the sound, it’s their rawness.”
CM: How and when did you become a City fan?
Blanco: “When I was in year 6 I used to love (football) skills. I was young and that’s all I was interested in, so when Robinho moved to Man City, that’s when I started to love the club. If you could see my old Facebook posts as a kid you’ll know!”
CM: What made you fall in love with the Club?
Blanco: “Sergio Aguero. The togetherness we have as a fanbase - we actually feel like a community”
CM: Do you get to many games?
Blanco: “I try and get to the Etihad, but I live in London so away games against the likes of Brentford and Watford make more sense for me.”
CM: What’s your favourite City memory so far?
Blanco: “It will always be QPR, nothing else comes close. I watch it at least once every year. GOOSEBUMPS.”
CM: Your all-time favourite player?
Blanco: “Vincent Kompanyyyyyy! He’d die for the badge.”
CM: Which current City player – in your opinion – would make the best rapper?
Blanco: “Ederson – I think I could turn him into one, he’s got the crazy tattoos (the neck ones). Give him a couple chains and he’s Bad Bunny.”
CM: Can City fans listen to your music?
Blanco: “Of course, many of my songs have Man City references.”
CM: Career ambition?
Blanco: “To reach household status – I want to be a household name in years to come, it doesn’t have to be music, but it has to be something.”
CM: Your dream for City?
Blanco: “We’re already living the dream to be honest, this is the peak of football. The best team in the world, we play the best football, we have the highest win percentage, we compete for the Champions League every season and challenge for the Premier League every season. If we can win the Champions League that would be sick, but I’m complete without it.”
Check out Blanco’s latest single ‘Carpe Diem’, out now and available via all Digital Streaming Platforms.
As the newly-installed editor of the City Magazine, my boss – Peter Spencer – threw me in at the deep end for my first interview....
“Get yourself up to Carrington tomorrow at 1pm,” he said. “You’re interviewing Keegan.”
Myself and the magazine designer, Simon Thorley’ affectionately nicknamed Spencer ‘The Shark’, because we joked his eyes would roll black when he sniffed a headline news story and he looked to be enjoying my initial anxiety at speaking with the new City boss.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t do it or didn’t want to, it was because it was Kevin Keegan – a larger than life bona fide football icon.
Moreover, I had to get this right and I couldn’t let him realise that this was my first big gig I’d done for the magazine.
On the day itself, I was actually fine and calm.
I’d had time to gather what I believed were a decent set of questions together and I waited outside the manager’s office patiently to be invited in.
In football, nobody sticks to appointment times – you’ll get a slot given to you but expect it to run over. Excessively so on occasions.
This wasn’t too bad as I recall – maybe half-an-hour or so over – before I was told by Kevin’s PA I could 'go through now'.
The office was fairly big and Keegan was busy putting something in a filing cabinet before he turned, said hello and shook my hand.
It was a firm grip and I briefly introduced myself, told him I was a lifelong Blue before taking a seat opposite where he was now sat across the desk.
Arthur Cox was sat away to my right reading some paperwork.
“He’s a City fan, this one, Arthur,” Keegan said to Cox.
“Is he now?” Cox – said - I think.
And after a bit of small talk, I started to ask my questions and we were away…
That’s about all I can recall.
Keegan was eloquent and engaging, just as I’d imagined he would be, and every now and then, I’d glance at him and think of the things he’d achieved in the game at Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton, and Newcastle – not to mention his management stints at St James’ Park and with England.
He’d been there, seen it, done it and got a number of T-shirts to prove it.
As a City fan, I was as excited as anyone that he was now our manager, and it wasn’t hard to come out of that interview feeling enthused about the season that lay ahead.
The ‘KK Factor’, as it became known, had already begun.
I just had to go and translate that into an article that conveyed that energy and optimism into words... check out the Time Machine feature further on to see if I did!
DC
This season is the 20th anniversary of our move from Maine Road. As many of you already know, I spent the whole of 2002/03 producing a book for the football club. The book, “We’re not Really Here” is my loving tribute to the longest running saga in my life: Manchester City FC.
Southampton was the final game at Maine Road, and with a game against the Saints coming up this month, albeit at St Mary’s Stadium, I thought I’d show a selection of photographs from that final match. It was a very emotional game for everyone, fans, players, staff, at Manchester City.
Kevin Keegan finally invited me into the dressing room pre-match, as he was making Shaun Goater captain in his final game for the club. I took a lovely photo of regular skipper, Sylvain Distin, putting the armband on Goater. Lots of former players were invited, and lots of old faces – fans as well – turned up for this special day.
In typical City fashion, we contrived to lose the game 0-1, but that didn’t seem to matter. The day was somehow bigger than the game. The club arranged a post-match concert on the pitch, but most people seemed to want to sit in silence remembering some of the great occasions we’d all been witness to.
The Ballet on Ice in 67/68, Colin’s comeback against Newcastle, the 5-2 drubbing of Tottenham, Schalke 04 in the Cup Winners' Cup semi-final, the many times we’d hammered our local rivals and so on. We all had our favourite moments at Maine Road, and this was the end of an era. In August we’d all be changing our routines of many years. What did the future hold for us? Could we finally dream of winning a trophy again?
Kevin Cummins
Coronation Street or Emmerdale? Oasis or the Arctic Monkeys? Jimmy Grimble or When Saturday Comes?
The ‘War of the Roses’ is a centuries-old feud divided by the Pennines, and this month, it is one that will be taken down south when City face Sheffield United at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final.
While it is not a fixture that holds much significant meaning for most, it is one that has a deep personal connection for die-hard Blue and former City Managing Editor Caroline Oatway, with her husband Shaun Littler, a lifelong Blade.
The two now live in Boston, USA but coincidentally(!) booked a trip back to the UK in April, and will be at either end of the national stadium when their two ‘first loves’ lock horns for a place in the final.
“We couldn’t believe it! I wish we’d have recorded our reactions when the draw was made…” Caroline laughs. “We’d wondered whether it would happen when the Blades made the quarter-finals, and here we are. We knew we couldn’t miss it.”
Originally, it was the draw neither partner wanted, though for different reasons. Shaun would rather have avoided facing the current Premier League champions, while Caroline was well aware of the stick she’d receive over the next five weeks from her in-laws.
“We didn’t want City!” Shaun admits. “They were the best team, and of course, we wanted the best chance of getting to the final, trying to win a trophy, which would be our first for about 100 years! My head says we’re going to get destroyed, and that City will put five or six past us with a full strength squad, but my heart says: it’s a one-off game, and anything can happen… We’re just going to have to give it our best shot!”
The two sides have only faced each other four times since the pair started dating in 2009, with City victorious in all four – the first a 2-0 win at the Etihad ten years later: a game shrouded in controversy, which made for an interesting journey home.
“It’s a bit weird really. Purely by coincidence, my first game in 1999 was against Sheffield United at Maine Road,” Caroline recalls. “We won 6-0, which probably helped, though it didn’t really reflect those first few years as a Blue!
“Shaun and I actually met for the first time in person at Bramall Lane when City played them on Boxing Day in 2006. We’d been chatting online as friends and I went to the game with my dad. We were in the away end, he was in the home end and we shouted across the barrier to each other at half-time. (Oh, and City won 1-0, had to get that in there).
“Then we didn’t play each other again in the league until 2019! They scored first, and I remember their fans went absolutely mental, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside. It was a pretty harsh call at the time to be honest, and City went on to win 2-0, though there was some controversy about the opening goal as well because the referee blocked John Fleck from receiving a pass in the build-up!
“I remember meeting Shaun afterwards in the bus queue. He stomped up to me with a face like thunder and when I asked him if he was alright, he just shot back: ‘No.’ and started ranting that their goal should have stood, and ours shouldn’t have. I just smiled and we didn’t speak for the entire journey home.”
However, there was one fixture Caroline and City will never live down: an FA Cup tie in 2008 that has lived long in the memory for many a football fan: ‘Balloongate’ – the day the Blues’ cup dream burst with one kick of a balloon.
“The Blades have got the bragging rights in the FA Cup from the last time we played each other,” Shaun insists. “That was a great game – a bit controversial, but we came out on top to win 2-1! Michael Ball kicking a balloon instead of the ball… She’s never lived that one down!
“To be honest, we’ve never been disgraced the last few times we’ve played City – it’s only been narrow losses – and there are other teams who have been absolutely battered, so that’s a positive! Hopefully they’ll go easy on us, and we’ll give it a good go, at least making ourselves proud.”
Who will take the bragging rights back to Boston, only time will tell, but for this unique footballing couple, despite the famous romance of the FA Cup, cross-Pennine loyalties and their respective lifelong affiliations with City and Sheffield United means there will be no love lost... for one game at least!
“Obviously, we both love football,” Caroline smiles. “We’ve been to games all over Europe together, though I think he’s had the better end of the stick – I’ve taken him to see City against Barcelona and Real Madrid, and he’s taken me to Barnsley and Rotherham…”
“This time though, we’ll be travelling separately because I know that whatever the score, I’ll be the one who gets it in the neck! One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be a long flight back for one of us!”
With City streaking ahead at the top of the U18 Premier League North and into the FA Youth Cup semi-finals, it’s an exciting time for Max Alleyne.
The centre-back is part of the best defence in the country, having conceded only 17 times in our 20 league games and once in the FA Youth Cup so far.
While City’s sides have become renowned for scoring an incredible number of goals in recent years, Alleyne knows the impact of keeping clean sheets.
“Defence is the first thing every team has to focus on,” he said.
“If you don’t concede you don’t lose and it makes it easier to win tight games. The back four are doing an excellent job this season and hopefully we can keep that up.”
That solidity has contributed to a rejuvenated City since the new year with Ben Wilkinson’s team winning 12 of the 13 games we have played in 2023.
It leaves City ten points ahead of our nearest challengers Sunderland at the top of the north group. However, the Black Cats have three games in hand.
Despite that, Alleyne is backing City to top the table and book a place in the one-off final with the hope of being national champions for the third successive season.
He said: “From January, we have really gelled as a team and enjoyed our football. We’ve clicked on the pitch, Ben’s messages are getting through to the whole squad and we’re feeling confident ahead of every game.
“To be ahead of Sunderland takes the pressure off us and puts it heavily on them. Even if they win all of those games they will still be a point behind and we will play them again, but it’s all in our hands. That’s what we wanted at the start of the season.
“It’s always important at City to try and win every competition you are in. It’s my last year at U18s level and to win some trophies at this level would mean a lot. A lot of these players have played together for a long time so we’re all working together to get some trophies.”
While we have dominated league football in this age category in recent seasons, we are looking to win the FA Youth Cup for just the fourth occasion.
We last lifted the prestigious trophy in 2020 with a team including the likes of Cole Palmer, Tommy Doyle and James McAtee.
Ahead of the semi-final trip to Arsenal on 8 April, Alleyne wants to join that group by lifting the trophy this season.
“We believe we have the talent to win the FA Youth Cup,” he said.
“It’s our first away game of the competition but it’s a great chance to play against another strong team. We have to believe we can win.
“We’ve played against a few teams we don’t usually face that are playing in lower divisions but we’re happy we have come through those tests. You can only beat who you are up against and we have done that without making any mistakes.”
While winning trophies is a key element of development, players know they must continue to push their peers at EDS and first team level if they are to make a career at City.
That’s something that Alleyne is aware of having seen the success of Brian Barry-Murphy and Pep Guardiola’s teams.
“I always want to push for opportunities higher where I can,” said Alleyne.
“That’s what you need to do here. If I can be ready and stay fit then the chances of playing every game at this level and getting called up are better. I’ve been really happy with how I have done this season but there are lots of important games still to come.”
To say the past year has been a whirlwind for Chloe Kelly would be an understatement...
From scoring on her first City start in 11 months after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury to grabbing the winning goal in last summer’s European Championship final for England, the winger has experienced some incredible highs of late.
However, adding the Barclays Women’s Super League title to her glittering CV would be the fairy tale ending to a memorable chapter in the winger’s story so far.
And as City’s leading assister this season, Kelly will have played a hugely significant role in that success, should it become a reality.
As the England international sits down to chat about the WSL title run-in, it’s clear to see from the off that she is loving life at the Academy Stadium.
But combined with the usual quick smile is a steely determination to help her team over the line in what would be an historic league triumph.
“We’re gaining momentum at a crucial part of the season,” she begins.
“I think we’re playing such great football. It’s enjoyable to play in this team at the moment.
“The first half of the season was a difficult start for me, but in the second half I’m really enjoying myself.
“I’m playing with a smile on my face, and I think that’s when I’m at my best.”
While perhaps a little self-critical on her start to the season where Kelly was still a hugely important figure for Gareth Taylor’s side, it’s fair to say that she has taken her game to new heights in 2023.
Standout performances against Leicester City and Arsenal, in which she found the net on both occasions, are ample evidence that the winger herself – as well as the team overall – are both hitting their stride when it really matters.
Unbeaten since September in the league at time of writing, our bid for a second-ever WSL title is rapidly gaining momentum, with recent victories over the Gunners and Chelsea at the Academy Stadium a real statement of intent from a rapidly developing young squad.
But while those displays might have made the rest of the league sit up and take notice, Kelly insists Gareth Taylor’s squad have always quietly maintained confidence in our title credentials.
She shrugs: “We’ve definitely always believed within, [but] I think it sent a message out to the league when we got that win against Arsenal.
“It could even have been a lot more goals from us. On the day we could’ve put so many more chances away and I think that’s really exciting from us.
“I think it was a good reaction from losing in the Conti Cup [against Arsenal three days before], to go and get such a great result, and perform as we did that day really set the tone.”
City are in the thick of what could be one of the most exciting title races in recent memory.
A genuine four-way title race is on the cards as Gareth Taylor’s side fight for supremacy with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Indeed, that battle could reach a thrilling climax on the penultimate weekend of the season, when City travel to United and Chelsea welcome Arsenal to Kingsmeadow.
However, there is still plenty to be done between now and then – a fact which certainly hasn’t been lost on Kelly.
Work on the training pitch has paid dividends for City, with the winger delighted with how she and her team-mates have put the manager’s vision into practice in recent weeks.
Indeed, ahead of March’s crunch tie with Chelsea at the Academy Stadium, Taylor described the fixture as a ‘must win’ to maintain our title prospects. The players responded in kind with a gutsy display to claim our first league victory over Emma Hayes’ side in 11 attempts.
For Kelly, the squad have really bought into the manager’s desired playing style, with that trust allowing the team to hit our current heights.
She explains: “On the training pitch, we’re working really hard.
“The manager is giving us good information on how to break teams down and I think the information we’re getting, we’re really taking to the pitch.
“We’re believing in our playing style and the way we play. We trust the process and now it’s time to show what we’re capable of.
“We’re in good form, so I think it’s about other teams worrying about us too.”
“One of my New Year’s resolutions was to listen to new music so when my Spotify Wrap came out last year, I looked at the songs I’d been listening to throughout 2022, and it was so basic!
“It was all pop, chart hits and stuff like that so I’ve made a point of listening to other artists which I hope is reflected in my Top 5…”
1 - Float by Harbour
“It’s such a nice vibe, really chilled but with quite meaningful lyrics as well. I just think the guy’s got a really good voice and the song has different phases to it as well, so it’s quite cool.”
2 - Maple Syrup by The Backseat Lovers
“I went to see the band in Manchester not so long ago and this is my favourite track by them.”
3 - Playboy by Fireboy
“They play this in the changing rooms a lot before a game, and I really like it! It makes me want to get up and have a bop and puts me in a really good mood for the match.”
4 - Roll With It by Oasis
“I love a bit of Oasis so any of their tracks, really. They play it at the Etihad after we’ve won, and I always enjoy that because I associate that with going to the game to watch the men’s team with my family – and us winning.”
5 - Supermodel by Maneskin
“They won the Eurovision with this, and I think they sang it in Italian, but I like the English version and the guy has quite a cool voice.”
We jump back in the Time Machine of City Magazines past to resurface another classic interview - here is Kevin Keegan from August 2001
Kevin Keegan shook my hand, settled behind his desk at the Carrington training complex and offered me a seat opposite. sat down and turned my recorder on and glanced at my notes. I looked up and was about to ask my first question when it finally sunk in.…Kevin Keegan, manager of Manchester City Football Club.
It has a nice ring to it, don't you think? I'm not after brownie points, here, either, but you just get the feeling he is the man who can take us on to win trophies and bring exciting football back to Maine Road. It only takes a minute or two in his presence to feel some of his enthusiasm rubbing off on you. The man has an aura that is almost visible.
He looks tanned and relaxed from his recent holiday and more importantly, he looks very much at home. His office overlooks the gym and the training pitches. The smell of fresh paint (pale blue, of course) is everywhere at Carrington - the place belongs to City now and Keegan is keen to make sure everyone reels at home. It's still pre-season and there is much to be done, so, with that in mind, I begin.
Having now met and trained with the squad, how do you feel about the task ahead?
Well, we've had ten days now and the attitude's been terrific. I couldn't fault that at all. You'd be disappointed if it wasn't, because when a new manager comes in, it's a clean piece of paper for everybody. The players who've played well need to continue to impress and the ones who feel they ve been shoved out of it - maybe they didn't suit the system being played or a million other reasons - that's all that's gone, so everybody thinks wow, I've got a chance here and they ve all worked like they really want to be part of it and trained really well.
What early influence can you see Stuart Pearce having on the players?
He's having a tremendous influence, everywhere you look. On the field, which is most important, he is a quality player and he brings with him, obviously, a vast experience and you can tell he has the respect of the players. I felt we just needed a leader and this is something I've done at all my clubs. I've always tried to bring in someone who will help you manage the players, in other words, I can tell Stuart 'this is what we're thinking, go and see what the lads think about it'. He's formed a committee with Shaun Goater and Steve Howey and they're the three that can represent the rest. If the training's too hard or too easy or the travelling could be better, they can give me feedback.
So the communication is good and it doesn't become a case of them and us?
It isn't them and us; it never can be in football. At the end of the day, we will make the final decision, but if we just do what we think is right and don't ask them for feedback, then, I think we'll make a lot of mistakes. So yeah, Stuart's had a major influence already in that the standard of training's been good; he's a great example to the kids and he's still very fit - thirty-nine, but still very fit.
Have any of the current squad pleasantly surprised you and do you feel any may have been under-achieving?
Well I hope there are some that have under-achieved so far because it's my job and the coaching staff's job to find something more in every one of them. If you look at Danny Tiatto, who had a great season last year in what was a poor season; the challenge is still there for him to do it again and for the ones who've maybe under-achieved last year to put all that behind them. I'm sure all City fans would prefer us to be in the Premiership. l'd prefer to be looking at a fixture list that took us to places like Highbury and Old Trafford, but in reality it doesn't. It's a bit early to be picking people out but we've mixed the young lads in with the training and some of them have done really well and others have struggled a bit, but that's to be expected. The attitude has been great and though I don't want to single anyone out, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Terry Dunfield have been very impressive, of the younger ones. That won't be a surprise to City fans because Shaun played a few times and Terry's played for sixty minutes in the first team.
Having managed Faustino Asprilla at Newcastle, do you see similarities in ability and temperament with Paulo Wanchope?
I haven't even seen him yet. It's just one of those things, you know? I mean, Costa Rica weren't originally even in the Copa America - I think it was Canada that pulled out after the kidnapping - but Paulo's scored four goals and played really well, so he'll be fit. It is difficult when players are flying off for internationals but it can be managed, but only if you work together and everybody is sensible about it. I'm looking forward to meeting and working with him. At 24 years old, he's still a young player, you know.
How did you discover Juan Carlos Osorio?
He'd already been interviewed when Joe was here and they were very impressed with him. Dennis Tueart, the chairman were all part of the process. It's always best to fetch someone like that in at the start of the season rather than halfway through. He's been an excellent addition. He's got the full attention of the guys and he's different without being what I call "gimmicky'. Everything he does is commonsense; the guys are doing different stretches, he's educating them in a different way and I think we'll reap the benefits; well, I know we will.
He can help you brush up on your Spanish again, then?
He's heen in America for twelve years so he speaks perfect English.
Your motivational skills are almost legendary, so who motivated and inspired you in your career?
Bill Shankly, my dad; everyone motivates you if you're that type of person; you can find something in everybody. Even people that you don't particularly like that have got strength; players that you may not get on with, but you can still learn something from them. Inspiration-wise, I would have to say Billy Wright - not through knowing him - but through seeing a small guy play centre-half because I was always told you're too small', so all the way along your life, I think you have to keep finding inspiration. Bill Shankly was tremendous, though; he made you feel ten feet tall, even if you're only five feet seven.
The friendly matches City arranged prior to your arrival were all fairly local games and you've been quoted as saying you might have liked them to have been a bit further afield. Can we therefore expect the Blues to have a European pre-season tour next year?
Well, we have had chances to go this year as well, but what I decided to do was honour the games arranged with clubs that Joe and Manchester City had made promises to and I didn't think it was fair of me to come in and change things. I would normally prefer to play a bit further afield, so the fans build up an expectation because they pay a lot of money to watch City. I would like to go abroad next year, to a training camp where we can concentrate solely on football and then play teams with different styles. I just think you get some benefit from that, for instance, playing in a hotter climate where the guys are breathing heavily afterwards; I think it's a good base to get fit. I think the Halifax game came a little too soon for us.
With good reason, you keep your transfer targets close to your chest - is it through commonsense or because of things that have happened in the past?
It's commonsense because I think it's easy to start going out shouting about who you're going to buy. I just think it's nice in this day and age when you say…”there's going to be a press conference at three o'clock tomorrow' and nobody knows anything. It's very difficult to do it nowadays because of the number of people involved in the transfer - there are two clubs - that could involve up to eight people - and then there's the agents which can involve more than two, depending on the player involved. With Stuart Pearce, we had agreed the deal and kept it on ice for ten days because we were trying to sign somebody else and we wanted to announce two at once, but it didn't work out. With Simon Colosimo, we managed to keep the deal pretty quiet and those signings were probably easier to keep quiet compared with some of the deals we're going to do in the future.
Who do you see as our main rivals for promotion this season?
I think you've got to put Wolverhampton Wanderers in there; they've got money to spend and a good manager in Dave Jones, who I respect and their stadium is ready for the Premiership. Birmingham City, under Trevor Francis, have been knocking at the door for a while, a little like Ipswich and everyone knows what they did when they went up. Coventry, West Brom will be up there. Watford, with Vialli, have got ambition and money to spend and if he can get them playing - and I'm sure he can they'll be tough to beat. Preston and Burnley have made great strides, Wimbledon, I guess, if I’m going to be honest, there are probably about eight teams that can realistically get into the Premiership and have got a chance of staying there. Nobody is just going to walk out of this division this year and teams will be pinching points off each other.
I bet we'll still win it by a mile.
(Laughs) It'd be nice.
Many City supporters would like to see standing areas designated for the new stadium. Do you have any views on that?
I've always said that I understand why, after the Hillsborough disaster, they made the grounds all- seater, but I do think that a lot of fans, as you see in stadiums today, prefer to stand. There are times during a match when everyone stands up anyway, so I guess the fans are sending their own message. I think it has to be looked at, but I've always said that there should be room in every stadium for fans to stand up because they're telling you every week tnat that's what they want to do. So can we solve that. problem, so Hillsborough never happens again and fans can stand up again? I think we can. As for tines new stadium, I don't know. There is one end that could be a possibility so I don't see why not. I'd be for it, personally.
Do you keep in touch with John Toshack and has the possibility of a management team ever cropped up, bearing in mind your success on the pitch at Liverpool?
The answer is, yes; I do keep in touch with Tosh. He's now manager at Real Sociedad - he's gone back there and he's done a great job because they looked like they were going to go down. He joined them late in the day and he saved them. You have to say you never know in football; we were pretty successful in our Liverpool days, so who knows?
Lastly, Kevin, how would you compare City fans to those of, say, Newcastle?
I think you can draw a lot of comparisons, but you couldn't add many more to that list. Manchester City fans are special, and have always been very, very loyal and last year they stuck behind the team really well. The players have told me how fantastic they were; you couldn't ask for more really. The best thing about coming into Manchester City, for me and we've talked about this a lot - is that we don't have to sign anybody to sell seats. We have to sign players that will do the business for Manchester City and make us a better side and get us back into, first of all the Premiership and then into the area of the Premiership where we belong, which is the up the top end, not fighting for relegation. It won't happen overnight, but with those fans behind us, the sky's the limit. We need to make Maine Road and then the new stadium a fortress and that's what didn't happen last year, for whatever reason and it doesn't matter now - everyone will have a different story. We have to get players wanting to play football in front of their own fans and other teams fearing coming and if we can do that, then we're on the right track and that has to be our priority, really. The players have proved they can handle it away from Maine Road but to make the home games something they look forward to, the fans look forward to and the opposition doesn't. If we can do that, we'll be back in the Premiership.
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