Liverpool Women ‘close in on ex-Man City manager’ as talks held
Liverpool Women are closing in on appointing a new manager.
The Totally Wicked Stadium outfit sacked Matt Beard in February after four years in charge in his second spell in the dugout.
Amber Whiteley took over as interim boss but could only guide the Reds to a seventh-place finish in the Women’s Super League.
Liverpool hold Taylor talks after Man City exit
Liverpool are looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign under Beard and then Whiteley last time out.
The Guardian journalist Tom Garry reported (9 July) that the Reds have held talks with former Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor.
The ex-Wales striker is a Women’s FA Cup and League Cup winner and guided the Citizens to a second-placed finish in 2024.
Liverpool need to be competing at the top
Beard took the Merseysiders to WSL glory in 2013 and 2014 in his first spell as boss, but they have been nowhere near the title for over a decade, which is a damning shame.
They even suffered relegation to the Championship in 2020, but the now Burnley manager took them back up in 2022.
| Stats | Beard |
| Played | 17 |
| Won | 8 |
| Drawn | 2 |
| Lost | 7 |
Their return to the top-flight was remarkable, as they secured a fourth-placed finish to widely exceed expectations, but they could not repeat that last season.
Fenway Sports Group have a huge task when it comes to rebuilding the Women’s team this summer, and they must get it right if they are to get back to where they belong and qualify for the Champions League.
Taylor Hinds has already departed, returning to Arsenal at the end of her contract, and Fuka Nagano could follow, with no updates on her situation despite her contract expiring at the end of the campaign.
Olivia Smith is another Liverpool ace who is attracting significant interest, but she is contracted until 2027, and the Reds are confident that they can keep her.
The appointment of Taylor could be the first step in getting back to the higher echelons and retaining their best players like the Canadian star, but it remains to be seen whether they can come to an agreement.
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