City have handed Kolo Toure a significant step up the coaching ladder by including the former defender in Pep Guardiola's senior staff for next month's Club World Cup.
The Ivorian has been making his mark with City's youth teams over the past year, particularly within the Under-18 setup where he has worked under Oliver Reiss. Now the 44-year-old finds himself preparing for a very different kind of American trip as part of the first-team's travelling party.
Guardiola has been forced into a major reconstruction of his coaching team following the summer exodus of three trusted allies. The departures of Juanma Lillo, Carlos Vicens, and Inigo Dominguez left significant gaps that City have moved decisively to fill.
The most eye-catching appointment sees Pep Lijnders arrive from Liverpool, where he spent years as Jurgen Klopp's deputy. His recruitment represents a coup for City, bringing experience from their Merseyside rivals' recent success. Set-piece expert James French has also crossed the northwest divide after more than a decade at Anfield.
Toure's inclusion alongside these high-profile additions speaks volumes about the impression he has made since transitioning into coaching. Players within the academy have responded positively to his methods, and his understanding of City's culture runs deep after helping deliver the club's breakthrough Premier League triumph in 2012.
Whether this represents a temporary appointment or signals longer-term ambitions for the former Arsenal and Liverpool defender remains to be seen. City officials have yet to clarify if Toure's role extends beyond the tournament.
The revamped coaching structure reflects City's determination to maintain their competitive edge despite the significant personnel changes. Squad announcement is expected Wednesday, with around 25 players likely to make the trip despite FIFA regulations allowing for larger travelling parties.