The leadership of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan and the Uzbekistan Football Association recently paid a working visit to Manchester, England. During the visit, key discussions were held with representatives of the City Football Group (CFG) holding company and Manchester City FC regarding potential areas of cooperation.
Throughout the visit, the Uzbek delegation met with Ruhl De Fries (Chief Operating Officer), Danny Wilson (Managing Director), Clive Reeves (Director of Football Business), and several other executives overseeing various departments. The primary focus was on elevating Uzbek football to a new level. Key topics included the introduction of innovative systems, the establishment of modern football academies, improvement of club infrastructure, and integration of international best practices.
City Football Group representatives noted that Uzbekistan’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup is a testament to the country’s rapid football development. They also highlighted the increased global interest in Uzbek football following the transfer of national team defender Abduqodir Khusanov.
One of the central topics of discussion was the potential integration of an Uzbek club into the City Football Group network. As part of the visit, the Uzbek officials toured the Manchester City Academy and the club’s broader development structure to gain firsthand insight into its operations.
The delegation also visited Manchester City’s headquarters and academy, where they explored the club’s rich history and operational model. Club specialists provided detailed information on key areas such as marketing, academy development and football education, international relations, scouting, and more. Discussions were also held about adapting Manchester City’s experience to Uzbekistan’s National Football Center in Yuqori Chirchiq District.
The visit concluded with a tour of Manchester City’s training complex, where the delegation had the opportunity to meet Pep Guardiola, the legendary head coach of the team, and also engaged in a conversation with Abduqodir Khusanov, defender for both Uzbekistan’s national team and Manchester City.
