ARSENAL WOMEN have announced the departure of head coach Jonas Eidevall.
The 41-year-old leaves following a poor start to the season, with Arsenal sixth in the Women’s Super League table.
Fans were left furious last week after the Gunners suffered a 5-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
And matters were made worse on Saturday when they lost 2-1 to London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
Eidevall was booed at the full-time whistle, with thousands of fans expressing their discontent.
One person even created a giant P45 to wave in the stands, while another wrote ‘Jonas Out’ in bold letters on Hornsey Road.
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Assistant coach Renée Slegers will take charge of the Gunners as interim boss while a full-time replacement is appointed.
Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar said: “We thank Jonas for his commitment to the club and achievements here since joining us in 2021.
“We have great respect for the dedication and commitment he showed to our women’s first team and recognise the role he has played in the growth and development of Arsenal Women. We all wish him the very best for the future.
“Our focus will now turn to the process of appointing a new Head Coach, and in the meantime, supporting Renée, as she takes interim charge of the team starting with two important fixtures this week.”
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Clare Wheatley, the club’s director of women’s football, went on to add: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Jonas for his hard work and dedication to Arsenal Football Club over the past three years.
“Jonas has brought us back-to-back trophies in the last two seasons, together with many memorable moments on the pitch.
“We wish Jonas and his family the best of health, happiness and success for the future.
“We have full confidence in Renée to take responsibility for the team in the interim period.”
Eidevall, who took charge of the team in 2021, guided Arsenal to two Women’s League Cup triumphs and a Champions League semi-final in 2023.
Arsenal return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they face Norwegian side Vålerenga.
The team will be looking to pick up their first win in the tournament’s group stage after being trounced by Bayern last time out.
The Gunners then face West Ham on Saturday.
Who could replace Eidevall?
By Sandra Brobbey
Casey Stoney:
The ex-San Diego Wave boss, who is currently without a managerial role, has been heavily linked with the now-vacant women’s head coach job at Arsenal.
Stoney, who was at the Emirates last Saturday to watch the Gunners’ 2-1 loss to Chelsea, has ties with the club having played for them for two spells from 1999 to 2002 and from 2014 to 2016.
Having begun her coaching career as a player-manager at Chelsea in 2009, Stoney has since become a highly-rated coach within the sport having guided American side San Diego to National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup win in March, and an NWSL Shield triumph last year.
The former Man United Women’s boss, managed the Red Devils for three years from 2021 guiding them to WSL promotion.
She also helped to nurture the careers of several United aces, past and present, including Ella Toone, Lauren James and Alessia Russo.
Jack Wilshere:
The Arsenal Under-18s men’s coach would be a wildcard for this role having started his current job two years ago and having never worked in the elite women’s game.
The former Gunners playmaker led the team to the finals of the 2022-23 FA Youth Cup, during his first season in charge. where they were beaten by West Ham.
A top-level WSL side hiring a men’s academy coach wouldn’t be an entirely new thing.
Manchester City Women’s boss Gareth was employed as the club’s Under-16 head coach before taking on his current role.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
