A few years ago, Ilkay Gundogan took the opportunity to coach Manchester City’s Under-16s while working on his coaching badges. The midfielder led a session focused on the role of the holding midfielder, offering advice throughout the drill to the young player tasked with orchestrating the play. Jacob Wright, that young player, still smiles when recalling the day he trained under Gundogan. Now, two years later, he shares the first-team dressing room with the former City captain.
Gundogan’s return to Manchester City was unexpected, having left for Barcelona on a free transfer in 2023, only to rejoin the club a year later. But Wright’s rise to the first-team squad was also significant, especially after he opted to stay with City this season amid strong interest from other clubs during the transfer window.
While on the pre-season tour of the United States with Pep Guardiola’s squad, Wright witnessed teammates like Callum Doyle and Mahamadou Susoho depart on loan. Despite the temptation to follow suit, Wright’s decision was swayed by the support from Guardiola and his coaching staff. “There’s always temptation, but when the manager and staff want you to stay and be around the first team, there’s not much of a choice,” Wright said. “Once I heard that, the temptation disappeared. I was staying for the season.”
City’s reasoning for keeping Wright in the squad mirrors their approach with players like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Rico Lewis. By offering tailored exercises in academy matches, City believe that training alongside first-team stars like Gundogan will benefit Wright more than a loan move to another club.
Wright has yet to make a first-team appearance this season, but he has been leading by example in the youth teams, scoring five goals in nine matches, including a brace against Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Youth League. As he continues his journey at City, Wright is surrounded by experienced players who are eager to help him grow.
“There’s been a lot of support from guys like Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, and Rodri, especially when he was fit. Recently, I’ve had great conversations with Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva. They understand exactly what the manager wants,” Wright said. “Pep is always offering tips, focusing on the small details that make a huge difference at this level.”
Wright remains focused on his development, staying true to his playing style. “It’s all about playing my game—keeping it simple, dictating the play, and letting the wingers do their thing. I’m training with the first team, and if I keep performing, my chance will come. When it does, it’s up to me to take it.”
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