Rodolfo Borrell
Rodolfo Borrell Reuters

Manchester City have signed former Liverpool academy coach Rodolfo Borrell as its new Global Technical Director at the Etihad Stadium.

The Spaniard was sacked alongside academy director Frank McParland by Liverpool last November as part of Brendan Rodger's huge overhaul at the Kirkby training base.

Borrell was appointed at Liverpool by Rafa Benitez in 2009 after a successful 13-year career at Barcelona, where he managed and developed young talents like Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique.

And according to Spanish newspaper Sport, he has already joined Manchester City where he will work alongside former Barcelona colleagues Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain to develop City's talents and scout young players around the world.

The appointment may increase the speculation about Manchester City' interest in signing Messi, as Borrell has been a crucial figure in the Argentinian's career, being his first coach at La Masia when the Barcelona star left his homeland to move to Spain.

The Spaniard began at Merseyside as coach of the Under-18s and Under-21s but was then promoted to the role of technical director. During his four-year spell at Anfield, he monitored the development of some current first-team players like Raheem Sterling or Jon Flanaga.

Even though Rodger's decision to part with both McParland and Borrell was criticised by some pundits the Spaniard left Merseyside on amicable terms.

"There are exciting times to come for Liverpool supporters and I'd like to wish Brendan, his staff, and the players, all the best for the future. I knew before I arrived that Liverpool FC was a very special club. I have now seen that this is an understatement," Borrell said then.

"I have enjoyed every moment in this wonderfully strong and independent city and my heartfelt gratitude goes to all of the players and staff that I've had the privilege of working with. I'd like to say a special thank you to the club's supporters. Things change at football clubs all the time. This is part of the game."

Liverpool FC Lionel Messi