Coach without remit – Manchester City make ‘Barça-style’ addition to backroom staff

Giovanni van Bronckhorst is working for the City Football Group, report De Telegraaf on Monday.

The Dutch newspaper have the story on the front page of their sport section and treat it as quite a big deal. There’s very much a Manchester City slant on things, with De Telegraaf likely going with that angle as it’s the biggest profile club within the group.

Van Bronckhorst spent four years with Barcelona, and it’s believed his ‘Barça-style’ background has been a big pull for those in charge at the Etihad and beyond.

The Dutchman will now travel around the City Group’s clubs, learning more about the organisation, likely ahead of a more specific role. Right now he would appear to be a coach without remit, which is certainly unusual given his experience in the role.

Leaving Feyenoord at the end of last season, having announced he’d do so the previous January, Van Bronckhorst won two Dutch cups and a league title in his time with the Rotterdam side, and was considered a success.

The 44 year old will now learn more about his new employers, and it’ll certainly be interesting to see what role he may have in the future.