New Elite Development Squad Lead Coach Oliver Reiss says he is looking forward to working with Enzo Maresca on a regular basis as they look collaborate and provide City’s Academy players with the best pathway possible to the Men’s team.

Men’s First-Team manager Maresca and Reiss share the same passion in regard to young player development and the importance of the Club’s Academy.

And ahead of taking on the EDS for the first time this term, Reiss discussed the importance of working in tandem with Maresca and, when the opportunity arises, how young players could gain valuable First-Team minutes alongside their development in the Premier League 2.

“The development of the players of course,” began Reiss when asked what success would look like for him and his team in 2026/27.

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“The more players with minutes for the First-Team is definitely a success. And on the way to this we have to develop and improve the players in the best possible way.

“Winning games, being prepared to win games and maybe at the end winning titles is part of the way we improve our players.

“When I think about the quality of players that we have, this can be a natural way.

“But this is the order. Developing the players, developing us as a team, making our performances better and better and then at the end if we are good enough, we are able to win titles as well.

“This should be the result of our development and our performances.”

And with that also comes aligning on City’s style of play and the nuances Maresca is looking to implement in the First-Team.

We’ve seen that during City’s Tour of Asia and in the Community Shield clash with Arsenal, Maresca likes to see his wingers high and wide, and that’s something we are used to seeing from Reiss’ Under-18s teams the past two seasons.

And the EDS Lead Coach assured that whilst City continue to develop like the modern game does, fans should expect to see a similar style of play executed by the Under-21s.

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“We will stick to our philosophy 100% and our style but we already had this discussion in the Academy, we have to improve and develop our style as well without losing our philosophy,” said Reiss.

“The game changes, football is developing and we want to be part of this. We want to adapt a little bit.

“So maybe here or there, more transition [maybe], we want to use a little bit better compared to the past. But at the end most will be the same.

“One exciting thing as well is what is Enzo Maresca doing in the First-Team and the details we want to adapt to.

“We have our ideas, what to change a little bit and then we want be on the same line as the First-Team.”

Reiss and squad have spent the past five weeks preparing for the new campaign, which begins on Wednesday 19 August, with an EFL Trophy group stage trip to Mansfield Town.

Kick-off at the One Call Stadium is set for 19:00 (UK) and will be quickly followed by our first Premier League 2 game of the season where we welcome Wolves to the Joie Stadium on Monday 24 August.

Whilst Reiss hasn’t had the full team at his disposal, with a handful selected to be part of City’s Tour of Asia, he’s confident the players who will feature regularly for his PL2 side will be eager to transfer their learnings into the EDS.  

“First of all for them individually, it’s the best that can happen to be around the First-Team as often as possible,” Reiss added.

“Of course we have to take care of their loads and of them in terms of getting enough load and enough content we have to deliver.

“But I think we are on a good way with this in terms of combining both, when they are with the First-Team and when they are back with us and then combine both together to bring them on a good level.

“In general, it’s not just a nice [moment] it’s a very good and very important experience for the players being around the First-Team.

“From their staff, from their ideas, from the players around at the highest level. So, it can only benefit us as well and our team as the Under-21s.”