Changes have occurred on all fronts at Manchester City this summer.
Pep Guardiola has been keen to put the 24/25 campaign in his rear-view mirror, and in order to avoid experiencing that again, the legendary coach has made several changes both on and off the field ahead of the new Premier League season.
Tijjani Reijnders was the latest signing to arrive at Man City, with the Dutch star following Rayan Cheki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Marcus Bettinelli to the Etihad Stadium.
However, it was one of the men added to Guardiola’s coaching staff who seemed to impress the Man City squad the most throughout the FIFA Club World Cup.
Pep Guardiola speaks at a Manchester City press conference during the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Emilee Chinn – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
James French has impressed Man City players
In a bid to make Man City a more dangerous team this season, Guardiola added Pepijn Lijnders and James French to his coaching staff this summer, with the arrival of the set-piece coach exciting fans of the Manchester club.
Guardiola has heaped praise on Lijnders throughout the Club World Cup; however, it has been French that has caught the attention of the playing squad at City.
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According to Manchester Evening News, the Manchester City squad were full of praise for their new set-piece coach throughout the Premier League club’s time in the United States, who seems to have made a positive first impression.
“French was praised by several players, and the team looked a lot more dangerous from offensive set-pieces, while Guardiola spoke glowingly about Lijnders,” Simon Bajkowski wrote.
The Manchester outfit’s set-pieces looked more creative throughout the FIFA Club World Cup, which resulted in several goals, and Ilkay Gundogan was one star who made his thoughts on French public whilst City were competing in America.
Ilkay Gundogan is a fan of James French
Following Man City’s win over Al Ain at the FIFA Club World Cup, a match in which three set-pieces were scored, Gundogan stated that he had been impressed by the work French has been carrying out with the Premier League club during his short time with Guardiola’s players.
“I think the new people have come in, especially our new set piece coach, and explained things in a very simple way that I quite like and that the other players like,” Gundogan said about French to mancity.com.
“We tried to get the patterns and the connections between the players – not just for set pieces but also for our tactics and the way we play.
“One of the most important things is getting those connections and getting to know each other as good as possible. Only if we are connected as well as we can be can we play amazing football.”
Arsenal have shown in recent seasons just how important goals from set-pieces can be, and with Man City looking for ways to close the gap to Liverpool ahead of the new season, the appointment of French seems to be having an impact.