Liverpool Women set to appoint Gareth Taylor as new head coach
The Athletic reported on July 9 the former Manchester City head coach was in talks over the Liverpool role and official confirmation is expected in the coming days.
Liverpool have been without a permanent head coach since Matt Beard was sacked in February, with Amber Whiteley taking interim charge for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Taylor, meanwhile, has been out of management since being dismissed by City ahead of the Continental Cup final in March, with the side fourth in the Women's Super League.
Taylor was appointed City head coach in 2020 after working in the club's academy since 2011. He won the FA Cup (2020) and League Cup (2022) and his side missed out on the WSL title on goal difference the previous season. However, they had fallen out of contention for the 2024-25 WSL title and were 12 points adrift of leaders Chelsea at the time of his departure.
Liverpool finished seventh last season, three places and 16 points off their tally from 2023-24. The club have sold last season's top scorer Olivia Smith to Arsenal in a world record £1million ($1.3m) deal this summer.
Liverpool begin the 2025-26 WSL season against Everton on September 7.
What does Taylor's appointment mean for Liverpool?
Just the four weeks out from the new season, Liverpool have finally made the appointment they've needed for over five months.
Liverpool felt after Beard's departure in February that they'd not be rushed in making an appointment, particularly given the moving parts in the background, most notably Russ Fraser stepping down as head of women's football and being replaced by Andy O'Boyle. And interim manager Amber Whitely's ability to steady the team and results meant Liverpool felt comfortable being patient to pursue the right candidate via a detailed process (as is the preferred modus operandi under Fenway Sports Group), which ultimately proved to be Taylor.
Liverpool wanted a manager who could excel the team tactically, imbue a degree of pedigree and develop young players. The former Manchester City coach fits the bill in many ways, particularly his experience in working with young talent at City.
At City, Taylor was known for being tactically stubborn, sometimes to a detriment. But when his team clicked, City played some of the most exciting football in the league, which is something that appeals to Liverpool, particularly after Whiteley showed the potential of the team playing in a back four and being trusted to play more on the front foot.
The fact Taylor only one two trophies over a five-year spell with City has raised questions over his ability to get the most out of his team, as have conversations regarding his player management skills, as the January transfer saga concerning England winger Chloe Kelly (now permanently at Arsenal) exposed.
That said, Taylor's track record at the top of the WSL is a huge pull. For Liverpool, the appointment is a strong statement of intent ahead of a new season that, at the moment, bears more questions than answers regarding the team's future.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Liverpool, Women's Soccer
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