Manchester City have announced the departure of 'Mr Manchester' this morning - Brian Kidd leaves the club after twelve incredibly successful years that saw him collect sixteen domestic titles under three different managers at the club.
Kidd initially joined the club in 2009 as technical development manager at the academy, with Brian Marwood saying at the time:
"Brian has vast experience at both club and international level. He will help maintain the excellent development programme we have in place at the academy. He was much in demand when it became clear he wasn't going to stay at Portsmouth and we are delighted that Brian has chosen to come and work with us."
(as quoted by the Guardian)
However, Kidd was named assistant manager to Roberto Mancini within months of returning to the club, where he played between 1976-1979.
City lifted the FA Cup in 2011, ending a 35-year wait for a trophy, and the Premier League title in 2012, which ended a 44-year wait for a league title, under Mancini and his staff. They would go on to add a Community Shield in 2013. Kidd served as caretaker manager for the final two games of the 12/13 season after Mancini's dismissal.
Manuel Pellegrini joined the club that summer, and Kidd expressed his delight at being part of the Chilean's staff:
"I've met the new manager and he was very kind and I'm very honoured that he wants me to stay with him. I'm pleased, personally. It's a compliment and a great honour that I'm stopping with the club. I'm very pleased that Mr Pellegrini wants me to stay. Obviously, he'll be setting his own standards and his own philosophy. He'll have his own principles about how to play which is exciting. He needs to speak to a few players, which he's going to do, and then he'll get a better picture. I know the Manchester City fans and they'll be behind the new manager and they'll get behind the players. It's been a difficult couple of weeks with what's happened. We've got to consolidate now, look to the new season and get on with it."
(as quoted by Goal)
Pellegrini described Kidd remaining as part of the coaching staff as important due to his knowledge of the game:
"It is important to me that Brian remains part of the coaching team. He has great football knowledge, knows the league, the players and will be a big part of what we try to achieve. We have spoken and we are all excited to work together."
(as quoted by Goal)
City won the League Cup and Premier League title under Pellegrini in 2014, and the club added another League Cup trophy in 2016 before Pep Guardiola took over the reins that summer.
Jack Gaughan of Mail Sport, who initially broke the news of Kidd leaving City, reports that Guardiola was told by sporting director Txiki Begiristain to keep Kidd on his coaching staff when he was appointed that summer.
It would appear Guardiola fell in love with Kidd ever since.
Upon capturing a fourth Carabao Cup in a row, Guardiola invited the 72-year-old to the post-match press conference, saying that he would like to share the moment with his assistant manager and a 'legend of this country'.
Kidd would rack up three more Premier League titles for his glittering collection under Guardiola, along with another FA Cup, four League Cups, and two Community Shields.
Gaughan writes that the popular member of the backroom staff acted as a confidante for the team - players and staff, in recent years.
KIDD'S TROPHY HAUL AT CITY
Roberto Mancini:
2010/11 FA Cup
2011/12 Premier League
2013 Community Shield
Manuel Pellegrini:
13/14 Capital One Cup
13/14 Premier League
15/16 Capital One Cup
Pep Guardiola:
17/18 Carabao Cup
17/18 Premier League
2018 Community Shield
18/19 Carabao Cup
18/19 Premier League
18/19 FA Cup
2019 Community Shield
19/20 Carabao Cup
20/21 Carabao Cup
20/21 Premier League
"I am a Manchester man..."
Kidd and Guardiola spoke to the club website following the announcement of the assistant manager's departure.
Brian Kidd said:
"It has been a privilege to be part of such an exciting chapter in this club’s history. I can only thank Pep, Roberto and Manuel for their leadership during a period of huge change and challenges for everyone involved here. I hope to have offered them enough help and support along the way to have made a difference and played a small role in the different teams’ successes.
"Having also played for Manchester City, it was very special to return and throughout the last 12 years I have felt the warmth of the leadership, the staff and of the fans throughout. I am incredibly grateful to all of them.
"I would also like to say what an honour it has been to witness the evolution of the club under the stewardship of Sheikh Mansour and leadership of Khaldoon Al Mubarak. I am a Manchester man, and the work that has been done to improve the City of Manchester and the local community is fantastic. I wish only the best for Manchester City moving forwards."
Pep Guardiola said:
"Brian Kidd is a legend in this country. Not only for what he has done here at Manchester City but at other clubs throughout his incredible career. He has been so important to me during my time at the club, and I am sure to Roberto and Manuel also. He has so much respect in our dressing room, from myself, my coaches and most importantly the players. His experience has helped us to achieve something very special during his time here and I speak for everyone at Manchester City when I thank him for everything he has done."
WHAT'S NEXT?
Gaughan reports that Kidd is not retiring and wants to remain in football should the right opportunity arise.
Kidd becomes the second reported member of the old backroom team to leave after set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover also departed the club. Jover will be replaced by former City Under-18s lead coach Carlos Vicens. It remains to be seen whether Kidd will be replaced.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank Brian Kidd, 'Mr Manchester', for his invaluable contribution to the club over the years and wish him all the best for whatever he decides to do next.
🐝 LEGEND
Written by: @NA1907_
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