Lombardo takes charge of City´s reserves

11 July 2012 10:08

Manchester City will appoint Attilio Lombardo as their reserve team manager as part of a shake-up of the club's backroom operations.

Andy Welsh has been sacked from his role in charge of the Elite Development Squad and replaced by Lombardo as part of a restructuring ordered by the Abu Dhabi owners and supported by manager Roberto Mancini.

City have brought in scouts Sebastian Arnesen and Jan Ricka - both used to work for Chelsea - as they look to improve their scouting network, with the latter considered an expert in eastern European countries including Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Their arrivals follow the resignation of Mike Rigg as technical director in April, while senior scouts Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter have left City for roles at Liverpool.

Mancini is believed to have had an influence in some of the changes to the football side of the club, not least the decision to make Lombardo - who is already a member of the coaching staff - manager of the second-string side.

City use their reserves - now called the Elite Development Squad - to nurture young talent and as a stepping stone to the first team.