Jadon Sancho was told to play at right-back for Manchester City to combat ‘very, very confident’ attitude that could ‘scare’ coaches

Manchester City had to play Jadon Sancho at right-back to help combat his confidence in his own ability in the academy. 

The 24-year-old spent two years in Man City’s youth system after joining from Watford in 2015 following eight years at the Hornets. 

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In those two years, he became one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the world, attracting interest from all over Europe.

Former City academy coach Darren Bowman used to work closely with Sancho during his time in the Citizens’ youth teams.

And speaking exclusively to talkSPORT.com, Bowman described the incredible amount of talent and self-belief the winger had from a young age. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with him when he came to the club,” Bowman said. “He was a mercurial talent there’s no doubt about it. A complete maverick.

“He was unbelievably talented but when you have someone with so much belief in their ability, which for sure Jadon had in abundance, you have to know how to manage it.”

So City attempted to manage Sancho by making him focus on football being a team game and exposing him to the impact he had on other positions. 

Bowman continued: “He’s a supremely talented footballer who when playing well is a joy to watch. 

“But he is very, very confident. Very confident in his ability. I think for some coaches and some managers, maybe that scares them a little bit. 

“For me, I encouraged it as I wanted to see him express himself and develop. However, at the same time, you need to understand that it’s also a team game as well. 

“So when we had him, we would play him at right-back, so that he understood what it would be like to play behind him on the wing. 

“We wouldn’t do it for full games, it would only be for 15-20 minutes because he learned very quick.” 

The impact that this had on Sancho was clearly positive as he would develop to become one of Europe’s most in-demand wingers. 

He eventually left Man City to join Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for around £8million and his high potential came to fruition. 

And that led to a £73million move back to England to Manchester United where his career then unfortunately took a backwards step. 

After a public row with manager Erik ten Hag following a ‘lack of performance’ in training, he was exiled from the United squad until he apologised. 

Sancho refused to say sorry and then he was loaned back to Dortmund last summer. 

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It seemed like his over-confident attitude that appeared at Man City may have gotten the better of him while at Old Trafford, but Bowman believes the right coach can get him back to his best. 

He explained: “It’s like any player, if you know them and have the ability to manage them then you can bring the best out of them. 

“Whatever happened has happened, but what I do know for Jadon is if and when he does arrive again in the right environment for him and under the right leadership that understands him and gets him, then you will see him back to his best very quickly. 

“For me, it makes me a little bit sad a frustrated for Jadon. 

“I don’t know the ins and outs and why this situation is what it is but what I can say is if and when he gets the right leadership, the right environment and platform, you will see Sancho.”