1. Overview
Brian Kidd (born May 29, 1949) is an English football coach and former player. Hailing from Manchester, he forged a notable career as a prolific striker, representing several prominent English clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, and Bolton Wanderers. He also had spells with teams in the North American Soccer League. Internationally, Kidd earned two caps for the England national team.
Following his playing career, Kidd transitioned into coaching, making a significant impact as an assistant manager. Most notably, he served as a pivotal figure under Alex Ferguson at Manchester United from 1991 to 1998, where he was instrumental in developing the acclaimed "Fergie's Fledglings" youth program. He later ventured into managerial roles, including a spell at Blackburn Rovers, and held various coaching positions at Leeds United, with the England national team, Sheffield United, and Portsmouth. From 2009 until his departure after the 2020-21 season, Kidd was a key member of Manchester City's coaching staff, initially as Technical Development Manager, then as assistant manager under Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini, and Pep Guardiola, contributing significantly to the club's numerous major successes. His career reflects a deep commitment to football, from his early days as a player to his influential roles in developing talent and contributing to championship-winning teams.
2. Early life and playing career
Brian Kidd's journey in football began in his hometown of Manchester, leading to a distinguished playing career as a forward with several top-tier clubs.
2.1. Early life and youth career
Kidd was born on May 29, 1949, in Collyhurst, a district of Manchester, England. His early footballing talent was recognized by Manchester United, and he joined the club's academy in August 1964 as a youth player. Demonstrating significant promise, he quickly progressed through the ranks, signing his professional contract with the club just two years later.
2.2. Club career
Kidd's professional club career spanned several prominent teams, where he consistently demonstrated his goal-scoring ability and contribution to team success.
2.2.1. Manchester United
Kidd began his professional career with Manchester United, making a memorable mark on his 19th birthday. He scored a crucial goal for the club in their 4-1 victory over Benfica in the 1968 European Cup Final, a moment that significantly contributed to United securing the prestigious trophy. During his tenure at Manchester United, he made 203 league appearances, scoring 52 goals. He remained with the club until 1974.
2.2.2. Arsenal
Following Manchester United's relegation to the Second Division in 1974, Kidd was transferred to Arsenal for a fee of 110.00 K GBP. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Leicester City at Filbert Street. He further showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting a brace in a home game against Manchester City. During the 1974-75 season, Kidd was Arsenal's leading goal scorer, tallying 19 goals in 40 appearances. In the subsequent season, on March 20, 1976, he achieved a hat-trick against West Ham United in a dominant 6-1 victory at Highbury. In total, Kidd scored 34 goals in 90 appearances for the club.
2.2.3. Manchester City and later clubs
In July 1976, Kidd was sold to Manchester City for a fee of 100.00 K GBP. At Manchester City, he notably scored three goals against his former club, Manchester United, contributing to a 3-1 victory at Maine Road and a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford during the 1977-78 season. He played 98 times for Manchester City, finding the net 44 times. Kidd is recognized as one of the few players, following Denis Law, to have played for both major Manchester clubs.
In March 1979, Kidd moved to Everton for 150.00 K GBP. During his time with "The Toffees," he scored 12 goals in 44 appearances and was notably sent off in an FA Cup semi-final against West Ham United. In May 1980, Kidd joined Bolton Wanderers for 110.00 K GBP, where he made 43 appearances and scored 13 goals.
His career then took him to the NASL when he was loaned to Atlanta Chiefs in 1981, scoring 23 goals in 29 appearances. In January 1982, he permanently moved back to the NASL, signing with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, where he scored 33 goals in 44 appearances. Two years later, he joined the Minnesota Strikers, adding 8 goals in 13 appearances. Kidd remained a prolific scorer for both American teams before announcing his retirement from professional football in 1984. Throughout his professional club career, Kidd made a total of 564 appearances, scoring 219 goals.
3. International career
Brian Kidd represented the England national football team twice during his career, with both appearances occurring in 1970. He scored one goal for his country.
The details of his international appearances and goal are as follows:
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 24, 1970 | Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador | Ecuador | 2-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
Scores and results list England's goal tally first, with the score column indicating the score after each of Kidd's goals.
4. Managerial and coaching career
Brian Kidd's transition from player to coach saw him take on various significant roles, impacting youth development and contributing to major successes at several prominent clubs.
4.1. Early coaching roles (1984-2008)
Kidd began his coaching career in 1984 at Barrow, serving as the head coach. He briefly managed Preston North End for several games in 1986. Following these early experiences, Kidd became deeply involved in youth player development, a path that led him back to Manchester United in 1988 as a youth team coach, brought in by Alex Ferguson. Over the next three years, Kidd was instrumental in nurturing a generation of highly talented players, including future stars like Ryan Giggs and Darren Ferguson, a group famously known as "Fergie's Fledglings."
In the summer of 1991, when Ferguson's assistant Archie Knox moved to Glasgow Rangers, Kidd was promoted to the crucial role of assistant manager. In this capacity, he worked closely with Ferguson, contributing to a period of immense success for Manchester United. This included winning the Football League Cup in 1992, the inaugural Premier League title in 1993, achieving the domestic double (Premier League and FA Cup) in both 1994 and 1996, and securing another Premier League title in 1997.
Kidd departed Manchester United in December 1998 to take charge as manager of Blackburn Rovers, replacing Roy Hodgson who had been sacked due to the club's poor start to the season and relegation zone position. Despite a promising initial period at Blackburn, which saw him awarded the Premier League Manager of the Month in December 1998, and an investment of nearly 20.00 M GBP on new players within his first four months, Kidd was unable to prevent the team's relegation from the Premier League, just four years after they had been champions. He was dismissed on November 3, 1999, with Blackburn Rovers positioned 19th in the First Division.
In May 2000, Kidd moved to Leeds United as a youth coach. He was subsequently promoted to Head Coach in March 2001, serving under both David O'Leary and later Terry Venables. His tenure at Leeds concluded in May 2003 following the appointment of Peter Reid as manager.
Kidd's expertise also extended to the international stage when he was appointed assistant to England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson in January 2003. However, his role with the national team was unexpectedly cut short in May 2004, just weeks before UEFA Euro 2004, as he had to undergo surgery for prostate cancer. Following his successful recovery by February 2006, Kidd sought to return to coaching.
In August 2006, there were reports that former Manchester United player Roy Keane, who had been appointed manager of Sunderland, wished for Kidd to join him as assistant manager at the Stadium of Light. However, Kidd instead accepted an offer to work as assistant to Neil Warnock at Sheffield United a few months after their promotion to the Premier League. After Sheffield United were relegated and Warnock resigned, Kidd remained at Bramall Lane under new manager Bryan Robson (another former Manchester United player) but left the club in February 2008 following Robson's departure.
On February 11, 2009, Kidd was appointed assistant to caretaker manager Paul Hart at Premier League side Portsmouth. He remained in this position until August 2009, when he declined a new contract offer and departed the club.
4.2. Manchester City (2009-2021)
In September 2009, Brian Kidd joined Manchester City as their Technical Development Manager. His role quickly evolved, and on December 19, 2009, he was promoted to assistant manager under the newly appointed manager Roberto Mancini, following the sacking of Mark Hughes. Initially, Kidd served as Mancini's sole assistant, before becoming a joint assistant alongside Attilio Lombardo and later David Platt.
Kidd played a significant part in Manchester City's resurgence during this period. In the 2011 FA Cup Final, Manchester City secured their first major trophy in 35 years with a 1-0 victory over Stoke City. The following 2011-12 season saw City crowned league champions for the first time since 1968 in a dramatic finale. Manchester City scored twice in stoppage time to defeat Queens Park Rangers 3-2, winning the Premier League title on goal difference from Manchester United. Kidd was seen celebrating intensely on the pitch with Mancini and Platt after Sergio Agüero scored the decisive goal.
After Roberto Mancini's departure, Kidd briefly served as caretaker manager for Manchester City for the final two games of the 2012-13 season, as well as overseeing a tour of the United States. He then returned to his assistant coaching role following the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as manager. Kidd continued to serve under Pellegrini and later under his successor, Pep Guardiola, forming a trusted part of their coaching teams. After 12 successful years at the club, contributing to 13 major trophy wins, Kidd left Manchester City at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.
5. Relationship with Alex Ferguson
A significant rift emerged between Brian Kidd and Alex Ferguson in 1999, which became publicly known following strong criticisms leveled against Kidd in Ferguson's autobiography, Managing My Life. Ferguson expressed anger that Kidd, during his tenure as assistant manager, had questioned Manchester United's 1998 summer signing of striker Dwight Yorke. Ferguson critiqued Kidd's footballing judgment and wrote in his book, "I saw Brian Kidd as a complex person, often quite insecure, particularly about his health."
Kidd, deeply disturbed by Ferguson's public attack, retorted with a sarcastic remark, stating: "I believe Walt Disney is trying to buy the film rights to his book as a sequel to Fantasia." This public exchange highlighted the depth of their disagreement.
Despite the past animosity and the lack of a phone call from Ferguson during Kidd's battle with prostate cancer in 2004, Kidd expressed a willingness to give Ferguson "the benefit of the doubt" in February 2011, noting that they had resumed speaking after matches. This indicated a gradual reconciliation and a move towards professionalism and mutual respect between the two figures after their long period of estrangement.
6. Personal life and health
Brian Kidd was born on May 29, 1949, in Collyhurst, Manchester, England.
In May 2004, Kidd's career as assistant to England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson was abruptly curtailed when he had to undergo surgery for prostate cancer. This health issue forced him to step down from his international coaching role just weeks before UEFA Euro 2004. After a period of treatment and recovery, Kidd successfully overcame his illness and was declared recovered by February 2006, allowing him to return to football coaching. His determination in battling the disease reflected his resilience, a quality also seen in his long and varied football career.
7. Honours
Brian Kidd achieved significant honors both as a player and as a manager/coach throughout his distinguished career.
7.1. Player
Manchester United
- European Cup: 1967-68
- FA Community Shield: 1967
7.2. Manager
Individual
- Premier League Manager of the Month: December 1998
8. Career statistics
8.1. Managerial statistics
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Preston North End | ENG | January 24, 1986 | March 1, 1986 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.00 |
| Blackburn Rovers | ENG | December 4, 1998 | November 3, 1999 | 44 | 12 | 18 | 14 | 27.27 |
| Manchester City | ENG | May 13, 2013 | June 14, 2013 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00 |
| Total | 52 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 25.00 | |||