Manchester City has announced a new collaboration with Charlotte Soccer Academy and PUMA aimed at strengthening the pathway between grassroots football and elite professional development.
The partnership will see Manchester City embed its coaching programme within Charlotte Soccer Academy, with two full time coaches relocating to the United States to work alongside the club’s leadership, coaches and players.
Charlotte Soccer Academy, a PUMA King Club since 2019, is regarded as one of the sports brand’s most strategically important youth partners globally. The initiative also builds on the long term global partnership between Manchester City and PUMA.
Under the agreement, Manchester City’s technical focus will centre on integrating the club’s Play Model and development methodology within CSA’s Foundation Phase programme for players aged under 10 to under 12 competing at Pre-ECNL level.
Manchester City coaches will work closely with CSA’s coaching staff to deliver age appropriate training aligned to the club’s principles of play. The aim is to help young players develop strong technical foundations, intelligent decision making and a positive relationship with the game.
The collaboration will also extend beyond player development. Manchester City staff will support coach education, curriculum alignment and the sharing of best practice across the academy structure, with the goal of contributing to the long term development of the club.
Players within the programme will also have the opportunity to travel to Manchester annually for competitive play.
Jorgina Busquets, Managing Director for Football Education, Recreation and Partner Clubs at City Football Group, said the partnership represents a new approach to youth development in the United States.
“This partnership with Charlotte Soccer Academy and PUMA represents something genuinely new and exciting for youth soccer in the United States. By embedding Manchester City coaches full time within a leading grassroots club, we are creating an authentic environment where our coaching methodology can be delivered every day, not just in short bursts.
“We are proud to be working with CSA to support young players at a critical stage of their development, helping them grow as players and as people, while raising standards across the wider youth soccer ecosystem.”
Busquets added that the project also forms part of Manchester City’s wider ambitions to expand its presence within youth football in the United States.
CSA Executive Director Brad Wylde described the partnership as a major step forward for the organisation.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with Manchester City and be the first club to forge such a unique collaboration here in the United States. This partnership reinforces our commitment to provide young players with the highest quality environment to grow.”
Wylde added that Manchester City staff will work across CSA’s Pre-ECNL teams as well as the club’s wider U9 to U12 competitive programmes.
Seamus Deegan, Vice President of Marketing at PUMA North America, said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the next generation of athletes.
“PUMA is committed to supporting the next generation of athletes, and our partnerships with Charlotte Soccer Academy and Manchester City allow us to do that in a truly meaningful way. Integrating Manchester City’s coaching approach within CSA elevates the standard of youth development and creates new opportunities for youth players across the U.S.”
Parents, players and coaches are expected to begin seeing the impact of the partnership from the upcoming season, with Manchester City coaches working daily on the field in Charlotte while also supporting CSA’s broader coaching framework.
