ROVERS favourite Jason Wilcox has been announced as Manchester City’s new Academy Director.

Wilcox has held the role on a temporary basis since June 2017 but will now permanently oversee operations at City’s Football Academy.

The 46-year-old, part of Rovers’ title winning team of 1994/95, has been with City for five years and in 2013 was appointed as head coach of the club’s Under-18s.

There, he led them to a national championship title and two FA Youth Cup finals.  Last summer he was named head of academy coaching and he has helped the club in their transitition to their state of the art facilities at the City Football Academy.

He replaces Mark Allen who left the position in June to become director of football at Scottish side Rangers.

Wilcox said: “I have really enjoyed my time at Manchester City over the last five years and I am excited to take on this new challenge at the club as Academy Director.

“The City Football Academy is a state of the art youth development facility, but the passion and the commitment of the staff and players will really make a difference to what we can achieve going forward.

“Our goal is to develop well-rounded, talented individuals on and off the pitch and I am relishing the opportunity to help us meet this objective day in and day out.”