Manchester City and Vladimir Weiss were reunited on Tuesday night after a long time apart, during the club’s first-ever encounter with Slovakian opposition and their first visit to the country in any competition. The UEFA Champions League clash provided an opportunity for Manchester City to reconnect with their Academy graduate and 2008 FA Youth Cup-winning star, Vladimir Weiss.
After City’s 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava, Pep Guardiola shared details of his conversation with Weiss, who is now captain of the Slovakian club. “We spoke about his time in Qatar, where I also lived for two years, and about his experiences there. Tonight was his last game, and it was great to chat with him,” Guardiola said. “He asked if he could visit us in Manchester, and we would be delighted to have him. He was part of the club’s history. I asked him what’s next, and he said, ‘Maybe I’ll be a manager, we’ll see!’ It was a good night for him.”
Weiss, who scored in the second leg of City’s 2008 FA Youth Cup final win over Chelsea, has fond memories of his time at the club. Speaking before the match, he admitted that Manchester City still holds a special place in his heart. “I always watch Manchester City; they were my first club, and they play the best football in the world. It’s a pleasure to follow them. The club will always stay in my heart,” Weiss said.
His father, Vladimir Weiss Sr., also expressed his excitement ahead of the match, calling it a dream come true. “We dreamed of one day facing the best team in the world, or one of the best. Having Pep Guardiola and Manchester City here is a dream for me and my son, especially since he spent time at their Academy and with the first team.”
Weiss made his first-team debut for City in 2009 during a 1-0 win against Bolton Wanderers, but after a series of loan spells, he left the club permanently in 2012 to join Pescara. This week’s reunion with Manchester City after the Champions League tie marked a special moment for the former Etihad winger and his former club.
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