Brian Kidd set to leave assistant coach role at Manchester City after 12 years

Brian Kidd is set to leave Manchester City after a glittering 12 years with the Premier League champions.

The 72-year-old has served Pep Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium, winning 13 major trophies and three Community Shields in the process.

A hugely popular member of the backroom team, Kidd has acted as a confidante for staff and players in recent years.

Guardiola – who was told by sporting director Txiki Begiristain to keep Kidd on his team when appointed in 2016 – made a significant gesture after City’s latest Carabao Cup triumph in April.

Kidd was taken aback when invited by the Catalan to join him for a dual press conference following the victory over Tottenham at Wembley.

‘I want to share this with Brian,’ Guardiola said. ‘A legend of this country, many years at United and now City. I love you.’

Kidd has the distinction of playing and coaching at both Manchester clubs, first at United and then with City.

The striker scored United’s pivotal third goal in extra-time of the 1968 European Cup final win against Benfica before picking up four league titles as a coach under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Kidd, who hails from Collyhurst – a mile away from the Etihad - scored 44 league goals on the blue side of Manchester and has been at the club for every trophy during the Sheikh Mansour era while coaching.

Young City forward Liam Delap, who scored his first senior goal last term, recently credited Kidd for helping hone his finishing while training up with Guardiola’s first team.

The veteran, who is not retiring, continued to have an impact at the City Football Academy, while club staff would make sure to locate a suitable church for Kidd to attend Sunday mass on away trips.

Set-piece coach Nicolas Joever is also leaving the club, with Under-18 boss Carlos Vicens stepping up to Guardiola’s staff in his place.

Former Rochdale manager Brian Barry-Murphy is considered a frontrunner for the vacant Under-23 position.