BIRMINGHAM CITY have dropped the axe on Scott Booth’s reign as manager after just FIVE MONTHS.
Blues opted to fire the former Glasgow City boss following his team’s 4-0 Conti Cup group stage loss to West Ham on Wednesday.
And The Telegraph reports the move has stunned players at the Midlands side with Booth thought to be a highly regarded figure within the squad.
Birmingham, who narrowly survived relegation last term, have notched up one point from their first seven WSL games this season.
The team’s General Manager, Sarah Westwood said: “Scott joined the club at a difficult time and was tasked with building a squad capable of competing in the BFAWSL.
“We are grateful to Scott for assembling a group of players who we believe are good enough to start picking up points.
“This decision was not an easy one but has been made in the best interests of the Football Club.
“I know how determined Scott was to succeed but, unfortunately, results have fallen short of our expectations.
“With 15 games remaining, we feel now is the right time to make a change to give ourselves the best possible chance of climbing the table.
“The challenge now is to ensure that we identify the right person to lead Birmingham City Women and get the best out of our players.”
Blues sacking of Booth comes just three days before the league strugglers – who are second from bottom – take on title-chasers Chelsea.
The club confirm assistant head coach Paul Elliott will take charge of the team when they face the Champions at Kingsmeadow.
They face a potentially tricky duel with Manchester City after the international break
And Gareth Taylor’s side hopes to bounce back from a disappointing run of four losses in seven top-flight games.
Aberdeen-born Booth, who managed Scottish League One side Stenhousemuir, from February 2014 to February 2015, was appointed on a three-year contract by Birmingham in June.
Before his arrival, Booth led Glasgow City to four Scottish Women’s Premier League titles and one Scottish Women’s Cup between 2015 and 2019.
Blues, who are one of the WSL’s founding clubs, are yet to pick up a win in the top-flight this season.
The Midlands outfit are thought to have the smallest budget to work within the women’s top-flight.
And the Telegraph claims funding concerns flagged in a players’ letter sent to the board last season are yet to be completely dealt with.
Under Booth, the club had overhauled their squad in the summer transfer window following the departure of 10 senior players.
Their new arrivals include influential Republic of Ireland centre-back Louise Quinn who became club captain this term.
Hannah Hampton and Sarah Mayling were among the aces who left with the duo joining former Brum boss Carla Ward at Aston Villa.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
