Zaba is coming home?

[PeterParker]

"The City Football Group have said they would like me to return in some capacity. Maybe at the end of June, when my kids have finished school and we have a better picture of the pandemic, that will be the moment for me to decide. I spent nine years at #ManCity. I liked the people at the club and I would be so happy to go back in some role. There are so many areas within a football club. Maybe if there was a possibility to work for the club and continue to live in Spain, that would be good for me personally and professionally. I have done my B licence and had a few calls from different managers asking me to join their staff. But it wasn't the right moment. I am open to different situations, but my family is happy and settled in Barcelona so maybe a role that allows me to work from here is possible. England is only two hours away on a plane so once we are free to travel again the options will become clearer."

Sort it, City.
Needs to happen.

[Mase]

Sounds like he’s only interested in an ambassador role. You can’t coach from Spain unfortunately Zaba.

[sheblue]

"The City Football Group have said they would like me to return in some capacity. Maybe at the end of June, when my kids have finished school and we have a better picture of the pandemic, that will be the moment for me to decide. I spent nine years at #ManCity. I liked the people at the club and I would be so happy to go back in some role. There are so many areas within a football club. Maybe if there was a possibility to work for the club and continue to live in Spain, that would be good for me personally and professionally. I have done my B licence and had a few calls from different managers asking me to join their staff. But it wasn't the right moment. I am open to different situations, but my family is happy and settled in Barcelona so maybe a role that allows me to work from here is possible. England is only two hours away on a plane so once we are free to travel again the options will become clearer."

Sort it, City.
Needs to happen.

Why does it need to happen?

[BlueinBosnia]

Sounds like he’s only interested in an ambassador role. You can’t coach from Spain unfortunately Zaba.

Yeah, that's been my take on it, too. Seems he's happy in Barcelona, and wants to put his family first. The way I read it, maybe he's angling for a position with Girona, which would be good in the short- to mid-term for all parties, if it fits in with CFG's long-term plans.

[PeterParker]

"The City Football Group have said they would like me to return in some capacity. Maybe at the end of June, when my kids have finished school and we have a better picture of the pandemic, that will be the moment for me to decide. I spent nine years at #ManCity. I liked the people at the club and I would be so happy to go back in some role. There are so many areas within a football club. Maybe if there was a possibility to work for the club and continue to live in Spain, that would be good for me personally and professionally. I have done my B licence and had a few calls from different managers asking me to join their staff. But it wasn't the right moment. I am open to different situations, but my family is happy and settled in Barcelona so maybe a role that allows me to work from here is possible. England is only two hours away on a plane so once we are free to travel again the options will become clearer."

Sort it, City.
Needs to happen.

Why does it need to happen?

Because he is a club legend, a person that could help us off the pitch.
Because he is a smart fella & a City fan.

[Kippax Sean]

Love to see Zabaleta working for us in any capacity. Hope it happens.

[blues-clues]

He could carry on his coaching development at Girona - seems an obvious step - Would love to see him back at the club but if he is happy in Barcelona at the moment we probably dont need him on the staff yet.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

As a player - legend. As a coach - just starting out and needs to prove his talent.

We got some of the best coaches in the world at the Academy where I assume he would be aiming with his UEFA B. Just being club legend gets you nowhere there.

[Mase]

As a player - legend. As a coach - just starting out and needs to prove his talent.

We got some of the best coaches in the world at the Academy where I assume he would be aiming with his UEFA B. Just being club legend gets you nowhere there.

It worked alright for Gareth Taylor when he was starting out. Mark Kennedy got the job by being an ex City player. What did Jason Wilcox do before we employed him?

[nottsblue]

A role Zabba?

The only realistic role at the moment with him not having his coaching badges and living in Spain is an ambassadorial one.

Possibly as a host in an executive lounge, a meeter greeter. Something on those lines where he can mingle with and chat to fans.

But possibly he would be best served as being in our corner as a pundit. Whenever I've seen him as a pundit he's been very decent. Bout time we had more than just Micah

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

As a player - legend. As a coach - just starting out and needs to prove his talent.

We got some of the best coaches in the world at the Academy where I assume he would be aiming with his UEFA B. Just being club legend gets you nowhere there.

It worked alright for Gareth Taylor when he was starting out. Mark Kennedy got the job by being an ex City player. What did Jason Wilcox do before we employed him?

They both climbed the ladder and learned the trade through trials and tribulations. If my memory serves me Kennedy started out with something like U12's as one of a coaching group and worked his way up. Taylor on the other hand was sent to some periphery fake "City Academy" (was it USA or Australia or Asia.... something along those lines) and pretty amazingly carved himself a career.

Neither of them started coaching remotely from Spanish villa doing it whenever it suits them. That's not how coaching works.

Also, UEFA B means fuck all. I have had UEFA B for over 15 years now. I also have coaching experience of 16 years spread over 22 years from lower league adults to grassroots including Academy once upon a time coaching future international captain for a while. I don't expect City giving me call anytime soon. Cause I always did it, and still do, part time.

[Hazy2]

Worked well enough for Pep,

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Worked well enough for Pep,

Eh?
Pep did exactly the opposite. Moved his family all the way to Mexico to learn from Lillo while taking his badges. That's the kind of commitment you need.

[Hazy2]

Worked well enough for Pep,

Eh?
Pep did exactly the opposite. Moved his family all the way to Mexico to learn from Lillo while taking his badges. That's the kind of commitment you need.

I know that, do you see any top club accepting that as the credentials needed, on here in your absence the pitch forks were out for Lillo, I am glad your back BTW. Pep also credited Bielsa for opening his mind, another many CEO might think twice about.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Worked well enough for Pep,

Eh?
Pep did exactly the opposite. Moved his family all the way to Mexico to learn from Lillo while taking his badges. That's the kind of commitment you need.

I know that, do you see any top club accepting that as the credentials needed, on here in your absence the pitch forks were out for Lillo, I am glad your back BTW. Pep also credited Bielsa for opening his mind, another many CEO might think twice about.

Cheers mate!

Pep took his time learning the game. Some might say he was always student of the game.

I actually talked about this while back with a friend of mine who is former professional player, professional manager and current high ranking director in Finnish FA. He said that it's interesting how many professional players aren't that keen students of the game. I mean they obviously train hard and play well but don't really dive into in's and out's of the game in that level needed to prepare you for coaching never mind managing. The transformation from playing to coaching is much harder than it seems for outsiders and unless you really REALLY want to do it and learn and accept that you know nothing about coaching you aren't going to succeed. Being a former professional gives you an amazing platform, obviously, if you have taken notes and talked with your managers and learned why you do certain training sessions or approach (Bielsa!!!!!). But it's no guarantee. His words not mine but I do believe him having walked through that path.

Now I personally don't like the idea that Zabaleta seems to think it's something you can do part time at the level where not only our first team is but also where our Academy is. I've seen City's younger Academy teams in some tournaments in past five years and the coaching set up is just amazing even in what can be considered grassroots football. They have probably the best coaches in the world who specialise on each age group. You don't just walk into it and start telling these people what they should do.

[Hazy2]

Worked well enough for Pep,

Eh?
Pep did exactly the opposite. Moved his family all the way to Mexico to learn from Lillo while taking his badges. That's the kind of commitment you need.

I know that, do you see any top club accepting that as the credentials needed, on here in your absence the pitch forks were out for Lillo, I am glad your back BTW. Pep also credited Bielsa for opening his mind, another many CEO might think twice about.

Cheers mate!

Pep took his time learning the game. Some might say he was always student of the game.

I actually talked about this while back with a friend of mine who is former professional player, professional manager and current high ranking director in Finnish FA. He said that it's interesting how many professional players aren't that keen students of the game. I mean they obviously train hard and play well but don't really dive into in's and out's of the game in that level needed to prepare you for coaching never mind managing. The transformation from playing to coaching is much harder than it seems for outsiders and unless you really REALLY want to do it and learn and accept that you know nothing about coaching you aren't going to succeed. Being a former professional gives you an amazing platform, obviously, if you have taken notes and talked with your managers and learned why you do certain training sessions or approach (Bielsa!!!!!). But it's no guarantee. His words not mine but I do believe him having walked through that path.

Now I personally don't like the idea that Zabaleta seems to think it's something you can do part time at the level where not only our first team is but also where our Academy is. I've seen City's younger Academy teams in some tournaments in past five years and the coaching set up is just amazing even in what can be considered grassroots football. They have probably the best coaches in the world who specialise on each age group. You don't just walk into it and start telling these people what they should do.

Looking at Barca I wonder if Pep was not the only one to play for Cartel FC !! I watched the Maradona RIP manage the same team Sinaloa. What a way to live eh. Bielsa, Pep, as some think close to madness unless you get it. I think it is Pep who may have said with Barca few leave through the front door. Zabba could well be be better offering his services at Espanol. He BTW is back in Barca not Argentina.

[Tokyo Blue]

He is clearly angling for a job at Girona.

[Mase]

He is clearly angling for a job at Girona.

Zaba or NQDP?

[BlueinBosnia]

As a player - legend. As a coach - just starting out and needs to prove his talent.

We got some of the best coaches in the world at the Academy where I assume he would be aiming with his UEFA B. Just being club legend gets you nowhere there.

It worked alright for Gareth Taylor when he was starting out. Mark Kennedy got the job by being an ex City player. What did Jason Wilcox do before we employed him?

They both climbed the ladder and learned the trade through trials and tribulations. If my memory serves me Kennedy started out with something like U12's as one of a coaching group and worked his way up. Taylor on the other hand was sent to some periphery fake "City Academy" (was it USA or Australia or Asia.... something along those lines) and pretty amazingly carved himself a career.

Neither of them started coaching remotely from Spanish villa doing it whenever it suits them. That's not how coaching works.

Also, UEFA B means fuck all. I have had UEFA B for over 15 years now. I also have coaching experience of 16 years spread over 22 years from lower league adults to grassroots including Academy once upon a time coaching future international captain for a while. I don't expect City giving me call anytime soon. Cause I always did it, and still do, part time.

Gareth Taylor is also probably earning close to what he did at the peak of his playing career. Kennedy had 4 years learning the ropes at Ipswich before coming to us, and Wilcox was settled in the local area, and I guess it was mutually beneficial to give him a try.

[Mase]

So out of the three, only Kennedy had previous experience before coming here BiB?