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Brian Kidd doesn't do many interviews, in part because he's been brought up not to blab but he also can't believe anyone would want to hear what he has to say.

As the Amazon cameras captured every gesture of Pep Guardiola last season, one of his trusted lieutenants was seldom seen in the hours of footage and heard even less frequently.

That the Catalan is the third Manchester City manager in a row to deem Kidd worth keeping at close quarters is no coincidence.

With more than 50 years of experience in football, the veteran has seen more than most in the game and that is invaluable. A club insider remembers a talk from the assistant in the 2012 title race that helped convince a downtrodden Roberto Mancini that United would offer the Blues a chance to catch them in that famous title race.

'Don't think it's done' was the message and history soon followed.

So important to the club has Kidd been that City fought to keep him in 2016 when Jose Mourinho wanted him at United, with Guardiola explaining that the veteran would help him get to know the players and the league.

Two years on and he is still gonig strong, a man that says he can barely turn his phone on connecting with the Snapchatting and Instagramming multi-millionaire 20-somethings in the first-team squad by treating them as normal human beings.

"From the playing side, with the super players we've had, it still hasn't got that galactico thing. Everybody is so humble and has a lot of empathy and warmth," he said.

"With my background, I've never been starry-eyed. Coming through at United, you had Denis Law, [Sir] Bobby Charlton and Georgie Best who you would say were the three figureheads so there was never anything there that you got carried away with.

"It just seemed natural so if you were to mention anybody coming in, with respect, I wouldn't be overawed by it because you have to be yourself right away. People can see through you - if you're cosmetic, players spot it a mile away."

If Kidd remains relevant to the players and manager, the 69-year-old makes a point of keeping in touch with everyone he can at the football club, be it bringing the balls in from training to help out or popping in to the academy for a cup of tea with the coaches.

Supporters old enough to remember his playing days appreciate the local connection in a club that is increasingly global, and the longtime assistant has endeared himself to many people by making them feel like they are No.1.

"My big belief is people in the football club. Let's not forget the supporters. They'll be here when we're come and gone - it's their club. They should be looked after. I think it is simplistic what I'm saying because of the money that has come in but you need values and you should try to retain that in a club.

"I was brought up as an apprentice at United and it was all about people - not just the playing side, they included everybody the laundry ladies, the kitman, people who worked in the offices - everybody was involved.

"I know it's got a lot bigger now but I still think you've got to work hard to retain that. You must have time for people. Whoever you think has got the most menial task at the football club has got self-esteem. That's what you were brought up on and City have retained that, which has been great for all the money that has gone into that.

"There's no task for me that's menial. A lot of people think they look after No.1, they don't want to be second but I don't think life is like that - you can't be looking after No.1 all the time."