Former Manchester City striker targeting managerial role in English football | OneFootball

A cult hero of Manchester City is now targeting his next steps in football management within the English game having recently vacated a top-level role.

Paulo Wanchope remains one of the most recognisable figures from Manchester City’s turbulent early Premier League years, remembered fondly despite his time at Maine Road somewhat hampered by injury.

The Costa Rican striker enjoyed several unforgettable highlights, including a hat-trick against Sunderland and crucial goals that helped the club avoid relegation. Despite setbacks that saw him miss the entire 2002/03 season, his 12 goals in just 15 appearances during the 2001/02 campaign showcased his remarkable quality.

Wanchope’s career after leaving City took him across Spain, Qatar, Argentina, Japan, and the United States, with ESPN naming one of his strikes for Málaga as the best goal of La Liga’s 2004/05 season.

By the time he retired in 2007, recurring knee issues had taken their toll, yet he made it clear at his farewell press conference that coaching – particularly in England – was the path he wished to follow. Since hanging up his boots, Wanchope has worked to build his coaching résumé.

And now, according to the information of talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, the Manchester City and Premier League cult hero is seeking a managerial job in English football having recently left his role as boss of Deportivo Saprissa.

The experience in the bank at the biggest club in his native Costa Rica, the report highlights that Paulo Wanchope now believes his coaching skill-set is well suited to the game in England, and he retains family ties to the UK.

Lower-league English clubs are increasingly turning to managers with global experience, and Wanchope’s unique career path could make him an attractive candidate, while clubs in League One and League Two, in particular, may see him as a charismatic figure to inspire.

For Manchester City supporters, his potential return to the English football scene would spark nostalgia and renewed interest in his journey, with some recalling him as one of the few bright sparks during challenging years at the start of the century.

While there is no immediate suggestion of a role within the Etihad Stadium setup, the links he maintains with the UK mean a managerial return on these shores seems increasingly likely.