Jason Wilcox is convinced Manchester City can go all the way in The FA Youth Cup this season.
The former England, Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Leicester City winger is now in charge of City’s U18s.
Man City v Crewe Alexandra
FA Youth Cup Sixth Round
7pm, Monday 2 March
Academy Stadium, Manchester
And having led his side into the sixth round for a tie against Crewe Alexandra, Wilcox is confident they can lift the famous trophy for the first time since 2008.
“It’s a competition we feel we can win – just like the youth Champions League – so we’re going to give it our best shot,” he told the Manchester Evening News.
“The lads are capable of winning it. From what I’ve seen we’ve got every chance.
“I’m really looking forward to Monday and the lads are looking forward to Monday.”
Manchester City last lifted The FA Youth Cup in 2008
City have eliminated Oxford, Coventry and Stoke en route to the encounter with Crewe.
Meanwhile, their guests have dispatched Bolton, Arsenal and 2014 finalists Fulham – and Wilcox knows his side are in for a challenging evening against a side with pedigree.
“Crewe are in for a really tough game – but their coach will be saying exactly the same thing,” he added.
“The lads are capable of winning it. From what I’ve seen we’ve got every chance.”
Jason Wilcox Manchester City U18s manager
“They’re renowned for bringing through players from their academy and I’ve no doubt there will be a few coming through from this group so it’s going to be a tough task.
“They will want to come here and will want another scalp and it’s really important that the lads embrace that and turn it into our motivation.
“Every team so far this year has probably thought the same thing: that they’re the underdogs and they are going to see if they can cope.
“The lads have stood up with everything physically that has been thrown at them and we’ve played some unbelievable football at times.”
The winners of Monday’s game will play Leicester over two legs in the semi-final.
