Manchester City are facing a battle to keep hold of Under-21 coach Ben Wilkinson this summer amid interest from various clubs. Wilkinson has spent the last eight years with the Blues, but could be the next member of staff tempted away by a coaching job in senior football. Ben Wilkinson took over the role from Brian Barry-Murphy in 2024, who left after three seasons to pursue his coaching ambitions. After a spell as Leicester assistant, Brian Barry-Murphy took the managerial job at Cardiff last season and won promotion from League One at the first attempt. Wilkinson, son of former Leeds manager Howard, joined City from Sheffield Wednesday's academy in 2018 and spent two years as an Under-21s assistant before taking charge of the Under-16s in 2020. Moving up to the Under-21s in 2024, Wilkinson's team won the league in his first season and reached the semi-finals this year with a new group of players. Another six youngsters made their first team debuts for City this season and Nico O'Reilly was crowned as the Premier League Young Player of the Year. City have already said goodbye to Pep Guardiola and nearly all of his coaches this summer, with set-piece coach James French the only member of his backroom staff staying. While Enzo Maresca is expected to bring his own people, Wilkinson's departure would create another important gap in City's coaching network. Wilkinson's potential exit would be a significant loss for Manchester City's academy, given his success in developing young players like Nico O'Reilly. The club will be keen to retain his services, but may face stiff competition from other clubs looking to appoint him as a head coach or assistant coach.