“I support Manchester City” – Midfielder insists he’s a big fan, and even wants a job there

When football players move into their thirties, it’s natural that they see retirement getting closer and start to think about what to do once they hang their boots.

So as Bari midfielder Ahmad Benali tells the Italian media that he’s a Manchester City fan, he’s not dreaming of playing for Pep Guardiola side, but of working for them.

That was said in an interview with Radio Bari, with the quotes relayed by TuttoBari. There, he talked about his affection for the Premier League club, and claimed that he’s looking forward to having a job in their technical staff.

“I support Manchester City, when I was 8-9 years old they were in the third division, to see them today among the top clubs makes me very happy, in the future I would also like to join the coaching staff,” said Benali.

“I have always played outside (of the UK), it was a great experience, but the goal for the future remains to represent the team of my city.”

Benali, who played for Libya’s national team, was actually born in Manchester, having played for Manchester City’s academy at the start of his career.

It was in 2012 that he left in England to live in Italy. There, he played for Brescia, Palermo, Pescara, Crotone, Pisa and now Bari.

Benali even played for England’s youth ranks, but ended up representing Libya for nine international caps. Now it seems his big aim is a spot at Manchester City.