Manchester City receive a boost as set-piece specialist Carlos Vicens stays

Manchester City received a major boost on Wednesday when renowned coach Carlos Vicens reversed his decision to leave the Premier League champions.

Vicens, who revolutionised City's output at set-pieces during his first season working under Pep Guardiola, had agreed to become manager of Heracles Almelo in the Netherlands.

But relegation from the Eredivisie, coupled with boardroom changes, saw Vicens step away from the role and remain at the Etihad Stadium.

Heracles required one point from the final four matches to preserve their top-flight status but lost them all.

The developments serve as a fillip to Guardiola, who promoted the Spaniard from coaching City's Under 18s team last summer to great success.

Vicens would have been difficult to replace after overseeing an upturn from dead ball situations. City scored 21 times from them in the Premier League and conceded just once, the best goal difference in the competition's history.

The 39-year-old is known to be a strong communicator and Guardiola has praised him for concisely simplifying tactical drills during training sessions.

Heracles maintained that the U-turn had been a mutual decision between the club and Vicens.

The Dutch club's director of technical affairs, Nico-Jan Hoogma, said: 'We have discussed extensively with Carlos the situation that has arisen after the club's relegation.

'From both sides we felt doubts. We have to do everything we can to let Heracles Almelo return to the Eredivisie and we need all the focus for that.

'Carlos was given the opportunity to return to Manchester City and we do not want to deprive him of that.'