Manchester City: Gareth Taylor sacked by Women's Super League side

Manchester City Women abruptly sacked head coach Gareth Taylor five days before the Women's League Cup final. This move has sparked widespread attention and added more suspense to the upcoming final. The timing of the decision underscores the high stakes involved in the upcoming match.

Taylor, 52, took over from Nick Cushing in May 2020 and led City to two major honors. Now, however, Cushing returns to the team as interim head coach, tasked with leading the team through this difficult period. Last season, City missed out on the Women's Super League title due to goal difference, and they currently sit fourth, 12 points behind defending champions Chelsea. His experience and familiarity with the team are expected to provide stability during this transition.

Although Taylor led City to a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in his final game on Sunday, securing a place in the Women's FA Cup semi-finals, club management felt the team's overall performance had not met expectations. "Manchester City prides itself on being a leading force in the Women’s Super League and challenging for success in Europe," said the club's Managing Director, Charlotte O’Neill. "Unfortunately, results this season have not been consistent with the high standards that we have set." This decision reflects the club's commitment to achieving top honors in both domestic and international competitions.

City have lost 4 of their 16 league games this season and currently sit just one point outside the Women's Champions League qualification places, with Arsenal having a game in hand. Cushing will be in charge for the remainder of the season, with City facing Chelsea in the League Cup final on Saturday (kick-off 12:15 GMT). In Taylor's first year in charge, City won the FA Cup, followed by the League Cup in 2022. In Taylor's four full seasons in charge, the team never finished outside the top four, but Arsenal's strong finish in the penultimate game of last season denied City their first Women's Super League title since 2016. His immediate focus will be on preparing the team for the crucial final against Chelsea.

O'Neill added: "With the Women’s Super League season still to play for and a vital FA Cup semi-final ahead, we feel that now is the right time to make changes to give us the best chance of achieving our goals. We would all like to thank Gareth for his dedication and commitment to the Club over the last four years. Our FA Cup and League Cup successes are testament to his leadership and he leaves us with many positive memories. He will always be part of the City family and we wish him well for the future." Cushing previously helped City win the Women's Super League and FA Cup, as well as two League Cups, before leaving to join New York City in January 2020. He initially served as an assistant coach before becoming head coach for two years before being dismissed by the MLS team. His return is seen as a move to restore stability and familiarity within the team.

Analysts suggest that Gareth Taylor has been a controversial figure, with some players openly discussing their experiences at the club during his tenure. England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck described her relationship with Taylor as "broken," while the dramatic circumstances surrounding forward Chloe Kelly's departure in January further fueled scrutiny. This led to division among fans regarding Taylor, but ultimately, it was City's disappointing performance this season that led to his dismissal. Despite excelling in domestic cup competitions, their Women's Super League form has been well below par, and they have failed to make any impact in European competitions under Taylor's leadership. Injuries to key players have hampered Taylor's tenure in recent seasons, but the club has provided him with significant support in the transfer market and ample resources off the field. Making this decision days before the League Cup final against Chelsea is a bold move, but in Nick Cushing, City have an interim head coach who knows many of the players, understands the club's organization, and is familiar with the Women's Super League opposition.