---
title: "Manchester City hint at a Pablo Zabaleta return"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2017/05/30/manchester-city-hint-pablo-zabaleta-return/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2017-05-30T11:51:53Z"
modified: "2017-05-30T11:51:53Z"
---

# Manchester City hint at a Pablo Zabaleta return

Pablo Zabaleta became West Ham’s first signing of the summer last Friday when his free transfer arrival from Manchester City was confirmed, but less than a week after joining, could he be in-line for a return to the Etihad?

Manchester City owner, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, [who has given an interview reviewing his club’s season](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxAhpF3w39w), has hinted at the possibility of bringing Zabaleta back in a coaching role.

The Argentine was released by Manchester City at the end of the season but wanted to continue his playing career for at least another two years and has penned a two-year deal with the Hammers until 2019.

What Zabaleta decides to do after West Ham remains to be seen, and maybe he wants to go down the coaching and managerial route like many ex-pros do these days.

> Twitter: And interestingly, Al-Mubarak, wants Zabaleta to do what Vieira has en route to becoming a manager. #MCFC manager in waiting like Vieira? (@TelegraphDucker)

Should he opt to do that, Al-Mubarak wants him to take a similar route to the one Patrick Vieira took to get into coaching.

After spending his last professional season at Manchester City, Vieira retired in 2011 and accepted a training and youth development role at Manchester City with the title of Football Development Executive, working closely with Brian Marwood.

Vieira developed his coaching skills and was named the Elite Development Squad manager in 2013 where he rose to prominence on the managerial scene and was even interviewed for the Newcastle job in the summer of 2015.

The former Arsenal midfielder got his first break as a professional manager through the City Football Group, taking the reigns at New York City FC where he has enjoyed great success over the last two years, and Al-Mubarak wants Zabaleta to perhaps follow down the same path.

Zabaleta has spent nine years at Manchester City, making 333 appearances for the club and winning a number of major honours including two Premier League titles.

He’s clearly made quite the impression on the club and perhaps he’s viewed as a potential manager in waiting.