• Brendan MacFarlane leaves his scouting post at Manchester City for a senior role at Troyes
• The Irishman will serve as interim sporting director at the Ligue 1 club
• Troyes earned promotion back to France’s top flight this season
• He replaces the outgoing Sibierski at the Stade de l’Aube
• His future beyond the temporary appointment remains uncertain

Brendan MacFarlane is preparing to swap his scouting duties at Manchester City for a leadership position at Troyes. The experienced talent spotter will serve as the French club’s interim sporting director.

The move sees MacFarlane remain within the City Football Group family. Troyes operates under the same ownership umbrella as the Premier League champions. The club recently secured their place back in Ligue 1 after winning promotion.

MacFarlane joined Manchester City in April 2023. He previously worked as head scout at Toulouse, another French outfit. Before that, the Irishman gained experience at Brentford and contributed articles to Get French Football News.

Reports indicate MacFarlane will step into the vacancy left by Sibierski’s departure. He will take charge of sporting matters at the Stade de l’Aube on a temporary basis. Club officials have not confirmed whether this arrangement will become permanent.

• Sixteen-year-old forward Christ Batola joins Manchester City’s academy for a training spell.
• The move connects sister clubs through the City Football Group network.
• The French youth international has already tasted senior football with Troyes in the Coupe de France.

Teenage striker Christ Batola has linked up with Manchester City’s youth setup. The 16-year-old forward from ESTAC Troyes will train with the Premier League club’s academy sides.

French newspaper Le Parisien broke the news. The arrangement sees Batola work with City’s U18 and U19 squads. Both clubs sit under the City Football Group umbrella. This parent company often shares talent between its teams.

Batola enjoys a strong reputation in France. Earlier this season, coaches moved him up to an older age group. This promotion allowed him to represent France at the U17 World Cup. He found the net three times in sixteen matches for the junior national side. He has since stepped up to the U18 team, scoring once in three appearances.

The youngster has also experienced senior action. Troyes handed him his first-team debut in the Coupe de France. He entered the pitch as a substitute during the cup clash. However, he is still waiting for his league debut. Despite this, he has scored heavily for Troyes’ youth teams.

ESTAC Troyes will compete in Ligue 1 next season after winning promotion. Before that campaign begins, Batola will spend time at Manchester City. This stint offers him a chance to develop at one of England’s top academies.