-
Manchester City has named Carl Walker as the new Head of Academy Scouting and Recruitment.
-
Walker brings over six years of experience from his time within the City Football Group.
-
Most recently, he served as Manchester City’s UK Youth Scouting and Recruitment Lead.
Manchester City has officially appointed Carl Walker as their Head of Academy Scouting and Recruitment in preparation for the 2026/27 season.
This move highlights the club’s continued commitment to strengthening its youth development framework, aiming to nurture top talent and enhance the academy’s reputation for producing skilled players.
Walker shared news of his new position on LinkedIn, which was subsequently confirmed by journalist Fabrizio Romano. He noted that Academy Director Thomas Krucken and Director of Academy Recruitment Sam Fagbemi will continue to support talent acquisition and development pathways.
Introducing Carl Walker: Manchester City’s New Scouting Leader
Though this is a new role, Carl Walker is already well-acquainted with Manchester City, having spent over six years working within the City Football Group.
His journey with the club began in January 2020 as the Southern Scout Lead, where he focused on identifying promising young players in southern England. Since then, he has worked in various scouting positions, most recently as the UK Youth Scouting and Recruitment Lead.
Before his time at Manchester City, Walker studied at Havering College, earning a BTEC in Sport and Fitness, and later pursued FA qualifications in talent identification, leadership, and management.
Additionally, Walker has experience as a Community Coach with Leyton Orient and has held roles at both Brentford and West Ham United.
Walker Expresses His Ongoing Ambition
In his LinkedIn announcement regarding his new position at Manchester City, Carl Walker expressed appreciation for the opportunities, support, and challenges he has experienced throughout his career.
“I am incredibly grateful for the chances that have led me here, as well as for the lessons and support I’ve received,” he stated.
Walker emphasized that his determination to achieve greater success for the club remains unchanged in this new role.
“The hunger and ambition to accomplish more is still the same,” he concluded.
In his role, Walker will oversee the scouting and recruitment efforts for the academy, ensuring that emerging talents are recognized early on. This initiative is expected to create direct pathways for these young players to transition to the first team.
Overall, Walker’s appointment underscores Manchester City’s focus on investing in youth development, creating a robust scouting network that enhances the club’s reliance on its academy for first-team talent.