MATT BEARD will take charge of Bristol City Women until the end of the season as Tanya Oxtoby takes maternity leave.
The ex-West Ham boss left the East London club ‘by mutual consent’ midway through November.
Ex-West Ham boss Matt Beard will cover Robins boss Tanya Oxtoby for maternity cover
Tanya Oxtoby’s baby boy is due in March
Oxtoby has been in the Robins’ top job for two-and-a-half years after taking charge in the summer of 2018.
But she will step away from her role temporarily to focus on the birth of her baby boy – who is due in March.
Beard won back-to-back WSL titles with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014.
He has also managed at Millwall Lionesses, Chelsea and, most recently the Hammers.
City Women Board Chairman Mark Ashton said: “Everyone at Bristol City wishes Tanya all the best as she and her partner look forward to the birth of their baby boy.
“It has been a challenging season so far and credit to Tanya, who despite contracting COVID-19, has remained focused and determined to drive the team forward.
“Allowing her to take a step back now will allow a significant handover period for Matt and we are delighted to have secured his services for the rest of the season during Tanya’s maternity leave.”
Beard’s first task is taking rockbottom City on a trip to face high-flying Everton on Sunday.
Oxtoby said: “Given the circumstances and where we are with the pandemic, I think it makes sense for the transition to begin and I’m fully supportive.
“I know Matt well. At the forefront of my mind when I knew this process was going to start was the playing group and making sure the transition was as seamless as possible.
“The Board have decided Matt is the right person to come in and I’ll support him 100 per cent.
“However he needs the players as well because I want them to reach their potential.
“I want us to stay in the Barclays FAWSL and I’ll support, however I can, to make that happen.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
