Man City coaches kids via iPhone

Big-spending club develops iPhone apps to coach young talent

Man City's new app helps coach kids

Manchester City FC has launched a free iPhone app enabling youngsters, parents and coaches to download tips and videos direct to their mobiles.

The app helps aspiring footballers develop technical skills, such as passing, ball control, turning, dribbling, defending and shooting; physical skills, such as agility and speed; and goalkeeping skills.

The app requires 5.1MB of space and is free to download for iPhone 3 and 4 from the club’s coaching website cityecademy.com.

“This app is changing the way we interact with young talent and making first-class coaching tips more accessible,” said Chris Kay, head of marketing for City.

The club was acquired by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, owned by Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the richest football club owner in the world.

However, according to business magazine Forbes, rival Manchester United remains the world's richest club.