Man City appoint Premier League cult hero to unusual role while he's still in non-league

The ‘Barclaysman’ trend has come and gone, but one such player is about to make an unlikely comeback in an unlikely place.

Adam Le Fondre only had one season in the Premier League but he certainly made the most of it. With 12 goals in 34 appearances, many of which were from the Reading bench, he still has one of the best minutes-per-goal and touches-per-goal ratios in the recent history of the English top flight.

Le Fondre was even named the Premier League’s Player of the Month in January 2013. Since leaving Reading he has spent time in the lower leagues, Australia, India and now the Northern Premier League at the age of 37 with FC United of Manchester.

Despite currently earning his living at a club started as a means of protest by disgruntled Manchester United fans, Le Fondre has a new job waiting for him with the group that owns Manchester City.

And while many players begin their gradual move into coaching before officially hanging up their boots, Le Fondre is set to take the unusual route of becoming a video scout at City Football Group (CFG), with a view to working his way up in the transfer department.

“I’m not deluded, I understand I won’t play forever,” Le Fondre told the Reading Chronicle. “That’s why I’m making plans for my post-football career.

“I have a job lined up, ready to transition into a new career because there are still 30 to 40 years ahead of me, if not more. I’m hopeful that I’ll soon start a scouting role with The City Group, focusing on emerging talent, which is something that excites me.

“My ambition is to eventually reach a Head of Recruitment role, but I know it’s essential to earn that position. I’m fully prepared to climb the ladder and learn as I go, ensuring that by the time I retire, I’ll be ready for the next chapter.”

Le Fondre’s association with CFG began during a loan spell at one of their clubs, Indian Super League side Mumbai City, in 2020/21. The group also includes teams in New York, Melbourne, Montevideo, Girona and Palermo.

Phil Robinson is City’s current Head of Emerging Talent, while the Blues have appointed Hugo Viana to take over from Txiki Begiristain as sporting director at the end of the season to oversee the club’s broader football operations.