The Plan: Chasing WSL Glory
City’s goal for this season is to improve on their fourth-place finish and challenge for the WSL title. While last season’s near miss on Champions League qualification was disappointing, there were mitigating circumstances. The summer of 2022 saw the departure of four key players and the retirement of another. Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh joined Barcelona, Georgia Stanway moved to Bayern Munich, Ellen White retired, and Caroline Weir left for Real Madrid. Given these losses, City’s top-four finish was respectable.
Now, City, with a team still filled with England internationals and unbeaten at home in the league last season, needs to secure European qualification. Jill Roord, an excellent midfield signing from the Netherlands, and Mary Fowler, an impressive forward from Australia who performed well at the World Cup, will be key players for the team. Gareth Taylor, City’s manager, believes this group of players has the potential to turn close calls into victories. Their playing style will be inspired by Spanish football, with one and two-touch passing. Taylor’s philosophy is to win with style and class.
Financially, City has made a significant move by securing a naming rights deal for their ground. The former Academy Stadium is now known as the Joie Stadium, after partnering with the baby gear brand.
The Manager: Gareth Taylor
Gareth Taylor, a former Wales and Manchester City striker, took over as the manager in 2020. After a short adjustment period, Taylor has become immensely popular with his players. He has developed a strong bond with team captain Steph Houghton, who believes she is playing the best football of her career under Taylor’s guidance. Earlier this year, Taylor signed a contract extension that keeps him in his role until at least the end of this season.
Star Player: Alex Greenwood
Alex Greenwood, a left-sided central defender or full-back, is a key player for City. Known for her defensive poise and exceptional distribution skills, she played a crucial role in England’s run to the World Cup final. Together with Steph Houghton, they form a defensive partnership that could be vital for City’s success this season.
High-profile Summer Signing: Jill Roord
Jill Roord, a goalscoring midfielder from the Netherlands, joins City from Wolfsburg. At only 26 years old, she has already won the Euro 2017 with her national team and has had successful stints at Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Wolfsburg. Roord is excited to play for City and believes the team’s playing style suits her perfectly. She hopes to add more silverware to her collection and achieve great success with City.
World Cup Delight/Heartache
Fourteen players from City’s squad represented their countries at the World Cup, with Laura Coombs making her debut for England at the age of 32. Several players, including Khadija Shaw, Mary Fowler, Alex Greenwood, and Lauren Hemp, had impressive performances at the tournament. City has also collaborated with luxury working womenswear group The Fold for a social media campaign promoting female confidence and gender equality.
City’s men and women’s sides have merged their social media channels, showcasing their shared passion for the club.
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