GARETH TAYLOR has extended his reign as boss of Manchester City’s Women’s Super League side after penning a new deal today.
The contract for the head coach, 51, who led the team to FA and Conti Cup wins, will see him remain in charge until 2027.
Taylor’s new deal comes two days after he oversaw Man City’s twelfth win across all competitions with their 2-1 victory against Everton in the top tier.
His team, who are second and level on points with WSL leaders Chelsea, are chasing their first league title win under their gaffer.
The last time the Cityzens lifted the top-flight trophy was under former boss Nick Cushing in 2016.
Taylor, who took charge of City in May 2020, said: “I’m very happy to be able to commit to City for another three seasons.
“I think what we’re doing here and trying to achieve is a build and a long-term project of sustainability and success.
“Our ambition was always to be right at the top and we’ve done that.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people behind-the-scenes.
“The players have really bought in to what we’re trying to do and achieve.”
Taylor’s reign has seen him oversee a period of transition in the side.
This followed the retirements of England heroines Ellen White, Jill Scott and Karen Bardsley and the departures of several international stars including Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Caroline Weir and Hayley Raso.
The last two years has seen City strengthen their ranks with players including Japan and Australia aces Yui Hasegawa and Mary Fowler joining.
Other stellar signings include former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid defenders Leila Ouahabi and Laia Aleixandri.
Among City’s additions in January and last August are England Under-23 forward Laura Blindkilde Brown and Netherlands midfield star Jill Roord who is currently sidelined with a knee ligament injury.
And last year the club appointed ex-Denmark Women’s boss Nils Nielsen to be their director of football for their women’s side and Charlotte O’Neil as managing director.
Taylor, whose side play Chelsea in the Conti Cup semi-finals on Thursday, added: “Nils has helped in a number of ways.
“His experience of having been a head coach previously in the women’s game is really helpful as well because you’re not talking to someone who has not been there.
“Charlotte I’ve worked with previously in the Academy.
“What she’ll do is be really clear in our objectives and really clear in what we are capable of doing.”
Of Taylor’s contract extension, Nielsen said: “I am very pleased that Gareth has agreed to continue his great work in our programme for the coming years.
“We have a clear strategy on how we want to move forward, and securing Gareth to lead the team is a key factor in this.
“Now we can all focus on finishing this season in style and prepare for the next few seasons by following the plan.”
Man City, whose players include Lionesses quintet, Alex Greenwood, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp, Jess Park and Khiara Keating, currently have the best defensive record in the WSL this term.
And striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw currently leads the WSL’s top scorers chart this term with 15 goals in 14 top tier matches.
Some of City’s recent victories include a hardfought 1-0 away defeat of title rivals Chelsea last month.
Aside from their push to be crowned WSL champs for the second time in their history, City hope to return to Champions League action next season.
Taylor’s side last featured in the competition in September 2021 when they were knocked out at the qualifying stage by Spanish club Real Madrid.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
