Physical Performance Coach - Rehab Lead (Academy) in Manchester

Closing Date of Applications: 31 March 2026

Our Story

Manchester City is an English Premier League club whose roots began in East Manchester. From its first incarnation as St Mark’s West Gorton in 1880, the club became Manchester City FC in 1894. Behind each title lies emotion, moments and memories that resonate with millions of supporters around the world. Manchester City fans are known for their commitment and togetherness, as a Club that fights to the end. MCFC is built on a vision for sustainability, with an academy structure designed to support long‑term first team success, to engagement with the communities in which we reside. Together with our passionate fans and valued network of partners, we are developing Manchester City’s future history.

The Role

The Physical Performance Coach – Rehab Lead (Academy) will lead the Academy Rehab/Return to Play (RTP) Physical Performance service aligned to the Academy Performance Services strategy. You will lead the design and delivery of individualised and integrated strength & conditioning programmes to identified PDP players that are criteria led in order to return players to play within agreed timeframes. You will deliver a collaborative physical performance rehab/RTP approach while leading and managing a team of Physical Performance coaches delivering criteria led integrated rehab programmes across the academy.

Your Impact

• Lead the development and delivery of a collaborative and integrated physical performance rehab/return‑to‑performance strategy for Manchester City Academy, aligned to the overall Academy Physical Performance approach and Academy Performance Services strategy.
• Lead the delivery of individualised rehabilitation and return‑to‑performance programmes with U18 and U21s players.
• Lead and manage Rehab Physical Performance Coaches working with PDP and YDP aligned to a common integrated approach.
• Work collaboratively with wider MDT staff (Sports Medicine, Physiotherapy, Coaching, Psychology, Nutrition, Lifestyle, Analysis) to deliver integrated return‑to training pathways.
• Align rehabilitation ways of working and physical development support to wider physical performance approach to support effective transition back to team training.
• Oversee rehabilitation profiling and monitoring systems that align to wider Performance strategy to inform MDT decision‑making and player management.
• Model effective interdisciplinary working, upholding Manchester City Academy standards and behaviours.
• Support integrated nutrition strategies during rehabilitation working in collaboration with Performance Nutrition staff.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Academy rehabilitation and physical performance approaches.

What we are looking for

• Significant experience of delivering physical performance support to teams/individuals to achieve objective outcomes in elite high‑performance sport.
• Experience of working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary support team in elite sport.
• Ability to write and deliver strength and conditioning programmes focussed on specific adaptations to achieve targeted physical change.
• Undergraduate & Postgraduate degree in related field with UKSCA accreditation or equivalent.
• Current FA safeguarding and emergency aid certifications.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to be flexible.
• Previous experience of line management/leading a team and implementing strategy in physical performance, sport science or strength and conditioning in professional or Olympic sport.
• Previous experience of delivering physical performance support in elite football at Senior or Academy level.
• Understanding of growth & maturation related influence on physical development & injury risk.
• Detailed understanding of common football injuries and related physical training concepts.
• BASES accreditation or currently engaged in achieving accredited status.
• UEFA B licence.

This Is Your City

As part of our team, you will be entitled to 26 days annual leave plus an additional day off for your birthday, private healthcare and dental cover, an annual discretionary bonus, plus a range of partnership and lifestyle discounts.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career with Manchester City, please submit an application via our career’s portal by 31 March. City Football Group promotes equal opportunities in employment and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose skills and experience seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you only if you are selected for an interview. Employment is subject to the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK. Due to our safeguarding promise, all UK based CFG roles will be subject to a DBS check upon commencing employment with us. This will be either a basic, standard or enhanced check depending on the job role and responsibilities.