Man City to appoint Cantona player-coach

The Manchester United legend will link up with his former team-mate Mark Hughes at Eastlands with a special remit to manage the forwards – and has insisted on a playing contract being part of the deal.

Although he has always resisted the idea of getting involved in coaching, Cantona led France to victory at the 2005 Beach World Cup.

According to local radio station Key 0104, the Frenchman joins City today – and in a move which could anger City fans, there may be more former Old Trafford faces on the way.

Paul Ince, out of work since being sacked by Blackburn in December, could be set to replace Eddie Niedzwiecki as first-team coach as Hughes seeks to instill some competitiveness in his players.

Qualified chiropodist Norman Whiteside is set to join the medical set-up, David May is to lead the tours of the trophy room and charismatic Denis Irwin is to be installed as matchday announcer.

However, a City spokesman denied that Hughes was thinking of hiring Bryan Robson.

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Gary Parkinson is a freelance writer, editor, trainer, muso, singer, actor and coach. He spent 14 years at FourFourTwo as the Global Digital Editor and continues to regularly contribute to the magazine and website, including major features on Euro 96, Subbuteo, Robert Maxwell and the inside story of Liverpool's 1990 title win. He is also a Bolton Wanderers fan.