Manchester United’s women’s team ‘set to hire ex-Orlando Pride and Birmingham boss Marc Skinner as their new head coach’, nearing the end of the search for Casey Stoney’s replacement
- Man United are set to appoint Marc Skinner as their new manager, say reports
- United have spent the last two months looking for Casey Stoney’s successor
- Stoney quit the Red Devils having complained about a lack of club resources
- Skinner spent three years at Birmingham before moving to Orlando Pride
Manchester United women’s team are set to appoint Marc Skinner as their new head coach after the 38-year-old quit Orlando Pride, according to reports.
The Red Devils, who finished fourth in the Women’s Super League last season, have been looking for a new manager since Casey Stoney resigned from the role due to a lack of club resources.
English coach Skinner, who coached Birmingham‘s ladies team for three years before moving to Orlando in 2019, revealed he was proud to have coached THE American side while handing in his resignation on Friday.
Manchester United’s women’s team are set to announce Marc Skinner as their new manager
United finished in fourth-place in the Women’s Super League last season under Casey Stoney
And according to the Telegraph, Skinner will be unveiled as United’s new manager in the coming days with the Red Devils set to complete the appointment of their first-choice managerial target.
Skinner was praised for his work in the West Midlands despite being handed a limited budget at the club. The Blues were sitting in fourth place in the Women’s Super League when he jumped ship to join Orlando at the start of 2019.
The English coach struggled to achieve similar results in the United States and failed to win any of his first nine league matches in charge.
Despite having Brazilian star Marta in their ranks, Orlando finished bottom of their league in the 2019 campaign, while the following season was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Skinner struggled in his two-year spell at Orlando, despite Brazil star Marta (left) being there
In his leaving statement from the American side, Skinner said on Friday: ‘I am immensely proud to have been the head coach of Orlando Pride.
‘I want to thank the players, staff and club for all of their efforts in creating a culture worthy of this city and state. To the fans, I thank you for being patient whilst we grew together.
‘You will continue to drive this team to achieve the heights that you all deserve. I have no doubt that this club will go from strength to strength with the new ownership in place and the values that the team have worked hard to develop.
‘Although I will be watching from afar, the iconic purple team will always remain close to my heart. For the final time, #VamosOrlando.’
United are set to end a two-year search for Stoney’s (above) replacement after her exit
Skinner’s appointment at United will end a two-month search for a replacement for Stoney, who was recently named as the new head coach of San Diego in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Stoney was appointed as Manchester United coach when the team was reformed in 2018, leading them to promotion to the WSL one year later.
The 39-year-old was unhappy with the support structure and facilities since the club made the temporary switch to the men’s base at Carrington at the start of the year.
Players were unable to shower in between training and meals before makeshift portacabins were installed while the nearest toilets are a 10-minute walk from their training pitch. Their gym is also in a tented facility.
Stoney quit because she disapproved about the lack of club resources at the Red Devils
Red Devils stars felt let down by the way the club handled their presence at Carrington and heard contrasting stories from the women’s team at Manchester City, where Pep Guardiola is known to watch training and encourage togetherness.
There was also a frustration at the club’s unwillingness to accommodate them at Carrington on a full-time basis.
United, who recently sold star attacker Lauren James to Chelsea, will begin their Women’s Super League campaign on the first weekend of September when they face Reading in their opening match.
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