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      Ex-Bristol boss Matt Beard thrilled to be back as manager of Liverpool Women

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      MATT BEARD hopes to restore Liverpool Women to their former glory after announcing his return as the club’s manager. The former West Ham gaffer is back in Merseyside six years after leaving the team to coach US club Boston Breakers before spells with the Irons and Bristol City. 
      Matt Beard is hoping to lead Liverpool back to the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Rex
      Liverpool finished third in the Women’s ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      And the ex-interim Robins boss beat 160 applicants to the top job to manage the former WSL giants. 
      Beard, 43, said: “When you are working here and living and breathing it and what the football club means to the city and its fans, I’ve experienced that from the success we had in my first period here
      “My family and I loved our time in Liverpool and we’re really looking forward to going back 
      “My memories from before are nothing but great memories and they’ll always live with me.
      “But it’s about what I do this time around and getting the team back into the (Women’s) Super League. 
      “One thing I can promise the football club and the fans is that I will work as hard as I can to get us back into the (Women’s) Super League.
      “I’ve come here to get the team promoted, it’s not going to be easy and it’s probably going to be the toughest Championship season ever.
      “But we have a good core group here and the infrastructure is there.
      “It’s about recruiting the right players to improve the team and making sure we have one common goal as a group to achieve what we want to achieve.”
      Beard first took up the reins at Liverpool back in 2012 leading them to back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014. 
      Beard led Liverpool to successive WSL title wins in 2013 and 2014Credit: Getty

      And the Roehampton-born coach led the club on their first Women’s Champions League campaign in 2015 before departing for managerial spells at Boston Breakers, West Ham and Bristol between 2016 and 2021.
      Liverpool had been without a permanent manager since Vicky Jepson resigned from the role in January.
      And Jepson’s assistant Amber Whiteley has been serving as interim boss leading the club to a third place finish in the second tier of the women’s game.
      The club’s chiefs hope Beard can lead them back to the top-flight following their relegation to the Women’s Championship in the 2019-20 season. 
      Their board members said: “We know him (Matt) particularly well from his highly successful previous spell with the club and have followed his progress closely.
      “But this is an appointment for the future. We believe Matt’s experience and know-how can help the club in our quest to return to the Women’s Super League. 
      “Much hard work lies ahead and we believe Matt is ideally placed to lead that journey.
      “The future of the women’s game looks incredibly bright and we want to be right at the heart of it.”
      Liverpool are targeting a return to the top-flight of the women’s game after being relegated in the 2019-20 seasonCredit: Getty
      Beard enjoyed a stint in the NWSL managing Boston Breakers from 2016-2017 before returning home to take charge of West Ham in 2018 and leading them to the Women’s FA Cup Final in 2019. 
      The Reds gaffer left the Hammers at the end of 2020 by mutual consent before joining Bristol City as interim boss in January. 
      Beard steered the Robins to a Conti Cup final and two wins from his first five games in charge. 
      But the Twerton Park team have dropped into the Women’s Championship after drawing three and losing four of their last seven WSL games. 
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Liverpool Women had been without a permanent manager since Vicky Jepson’s departure in January 2020Credit: PA
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      Fran Kirby sparks social media frenzy after unveiling Chelsea’s new home kit made from recycled bottles

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      FRAN KIRBY has unveiled Chelsea’s new home kit for the upcoming season which is made from 100 per cent recycled bottles.The 27 year-old shared a pic of herself in the Blues’ new shirt, in collaboration with Nike, on social media.
      WSL stars show their adulation for Chelsea’s new home kit
      But some fans hate the Blues new design
      Kirby unveiled the new-look Blues shirt on social mediaCredit: Getty
      She wrote: “New Chelsea Home kit is here! Looks fire and is made from 100% recycled bottles !!!”
      Kirby’s fellow WSL peers showed their love for the shirt in the comments underneath her post.
      Bristol City ace Lauren Rafferty and ex-Reading star Molly Bartrip both also left fire emojis.
      While Blues team-mate Erin Cuthbert wrote: “Did you do that in your sustainability essay.”
      But not everyone loves the Blues new home kit which caused uproar amongst fans when leaked online last month.
      Some fans branded the shirt “horrendous,” while another claimed it was the “worst kit I’ve ever seen.”

      The shirt features both a checkered and a zig-zag pattern that wrap around the shirt and meet down one side of the front, lining up with the badge.
      It was initially thought that the badge on the shirt would be changed from its traditional white crest to a yellow one.
      This would’ve been a huge revamp for the Blues who have had their current badge design since 2005, which was only altered to gold in 2012 to mark London’s Olympic hosting.
      Kirby and Co will be hoping to quell the fans dissatisfaction over the new shirt by bringing home the Champions League trophy this weekend.
      Emma Haye’s side go up against Barcelona on Sunday in the final in a bid to add to their trophy cabinet after retaining the WSL title last week.
      The club have strayed away from their original blue and white designCredit: Getty
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      Stoney resigns as Manchester United Women’s manager amid reports of interest from US clubs

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      CASEY STONEY has resigned as Manchester United Women’s boss days after her team narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot.   Stoney’s surprise resignation comes almost two months after she said she would consider it a “personal failure” to miss out on the contest.  
      Casey Stoney has resigned manager of Man United’s Women’s Super League sideCredit: Getty
      Stoney is reported to be on the radar of NWSL clubs in the United StatesCredit: PA
      The former centre-back, 38, has been at the helm of the Red Devils since June 2018 following the team’s reestablishment in March that year. 
      And the ex-England skipper led the team to a swift promotion to the WSL from the Championship in 2019 achieving successive fourth-place finishes in two seasons. 
      The Telegraph reports Stoney, who began her journey as a footballer at the age of 12 at Chelsea, is thought to have been displeased with the training conditions for her side in recent months. 
      It is also thought clubs from around the world – including the top-flight women’s sides in the USA – are interested in the straight-talking United gaffer. 
      And The Athletic claims the WSL boss is in talks to head up an NWSL expansion team in San Diego.
      Stoney, whose team are due to face newly-promoted Leicester City in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round, said opting to stand down had been an ‘incredibly tough decision’. 
      The club is yet to confirm whether the former Chelsea player-manager will take charge to the side during their clash with the Foxes.
      In an official club statement, Stoney said: “It has been an honour to lead the women’s team at this great club and this has been an incredibly tough decision. 
      “Having come on board to start the team from scratch, then winning the Women’s Championship in our first season, we have now successfully established the team as a force in the Women’s Super League. 
      “I have loved leading this group and I am proud of what we have achieved together.
      “However, after a difficult season with the disruption caused by the pandemic, I now feel the time is right to take some time away and for someone else to come in and lead the team on the next stage of its journey. 
      “I want to thank the club, all of the fantastic staff, the fans, and most of all the players, for the incredible experience we have shared over the past three years.”
      Casey Stoney led Man United to promotion to the Women’s Super League within two years of the club being reformed in 2018Credit: Getty

      United chief executive Ed Woodward added: “Casey has been a driving force behind that success since she joined us in 2018.
      “She has been an inspiration to her players and staff, fans, and to all of us.
      “I know I speak for everyone in thanking her for her unstinting hard work and dedication and paying tribute to her achievements.”
      The Red Devils’ match with the Foxes on Sunday will be the club’s final game this term with Women’s FA Cup competition resuming again next season. 
      The team, whose players include England stars Ella Toone, Katie Zelem and Millie Turner, finished just a point behind third-placed Arsenal in the top tier.
      And the Gunners’ top three finish saw them bag the WSL’s last remaining Women’s Champions League qualifying spot.  
      United have struggled with injuries to several first-team players this season including  Alessia Russo, Leah Galton and US superstar Tobin Heath. 
      Man United are due to play Leicester in the Women’s FA Cup fifth roundCredit: Getty
      But while the club endured losses to Reading, Man City and Arsenal in February and March, they won six of their last games across all competitions keeping clean sheets. 
      Prior to coaching Stoney enjoyed a stellar 19-year playing career representing Arsenal, Charlton, Chelsea and Liverpool between 1999 and 2018. 
      The former Lionesses ace, who captained Team GB women’s football team at the London 2012 Game
      And the former Lionesses defender began her coaching career at Chelsea in 2009 before joining Phil Neville’s England backroom team in 2018 and then becoming Man United Women’s boss.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Manchester United will be hoping to qualify for the Women’s Champions League in the 2021-2022Credit: Getty
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      Chelsea ace Kirby and Barcelona’s Hermoso in Champions League Golden Boot battle as clubs prepare for final

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      FRAN KIRBY and Jennifer Hermoso will slug it out for the Women’s Champions League top scorer mantle when Chelsea and Barcelona meet in the contest’s finale.Both stars have six goals apiece with Kirby’s scoring twice against Bayern Munich in the competition’s second leg semi-final.
      Kirby is in pole position to win the Women’s Champions League Golden BootCredit: Getty
      Kirby and Barcelona forward Jennifer Hermoso have netted six goals each in Europe this seasonCredit: EPA
      But Hermoso, 31, has scored her tally in as many games while Kirby, 27, reached her total in eight appearances.
      The pair are closely followed by Hermoso’s hotshot team-mate Lieke Martens, 28, who has racked up five goals in the competition.
      Kirby and Hermoso both also notched 16 goals domestically this season which helped propel their sides to lift their respective league trophies.
      Kirby scored another double in the Blues’ 5-0 win over Reading to help seal a fourth WSL crown for Emma Hayes’ side.
      Meanwhile, Barca cruised to the La Liga Women’s title in style with eight games to go and an unbeaten run in the league to match.
      The Spanish giants clinched their sixth top-flight trophy after accruing 26 straight wins and a stunning tally of 126 goals.
      And Lluis Cortes’ team are ahead of Chelsea in the overall European goalscoring charts with 24 goals compared to the Blues total of 21.
      But Kirby and her team-mate will be aiming to turn those statistics around in their first-ever Women’s Champions League final.
      Hermoso was lost for words upon after Barcelona beat PSG to set a Champions League final duel with Chelsea
      And the England forward knows what it takes to win in high stake games after netting a brace to help Chelsea trounce Bayern Munich 5-3 on aggregate in the contest’s semis.
      Kirby, who has made 18 WSL appearances this season, was also on target twice in Chelsea’s 6-0 Conti Cup thrashing of Bristol City.
      And SunSport columnist Alex Scott believes Kirby could help her team-mates end a 14-year trophy drought for English clubs competing in the Women’s Champions League

      The former Reading forward’s contribution to the Blues quest for a quadruple has led to her being crowned the WSL’s Player of the Season.
      The award win is among the highlights of a remarkable turnaround for Kirby who a few years ago was told she might not play again due to a rare heart condition.
      And she will have to be at very best to out-do Hermoso who says seeing Barcelona reach the final is ‘indescribable’.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Kirby helped Chelsea win their fourth WSL this seasonCredit: Prime Media
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      WSL champs Chelsea sign PSV Eindhoven star Aniek Nouwen as Hayes strengthens defensive ranks

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      ANIEK NOUWEN has become Chelsea’s newest addition with Emma Hayes looking to boost her defensive options ahead of the 2021-22 season. The PSV Eindhoven star sealed a three-year pre-contract deal with the four-time WSL champions which will keep her at the club until the summer of 2024. 
      Aniek Nouwen has agreed to a move from PSV Eindhoven to WSL champions ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Nouwen signed a three-year pre-contract with the Blues which will run until 2024
      Nouwen, 22, who has 14 Netherlands Women’s international caps, made her professional debut for PSV in 2016.  
      And the highly-rated defender has made more than 100 appearances for the Women’s Eredivisie giants netting 15 goals. 
      Blues boss Hayes reckons Nouwen’s physical strength on the ball will make her well-suited to battling Chelsea’s rivals in the WSL next term. 
      Hayes, 44, said: “Not only does Aniek bring a wealth of league and international experience for her age, but she is also very composed on the ball and her physicality will certainly suit the English league.
      ‘I have no doubt she is one of the best young defenders in the world and has a very bright future ahead of her with us.
      “We cannot wait to welcome her to Cobham this summer. She really is an exciting addition to our squad.”
      Nouwen added: “To play in the English league has always been a dream for me as it is the best competition and it provides the best opportunity for me to develop even more. 
      “There were other clubs who were interested, but I made my decision to join Chelsea pretty quickly.  
      “I’m very honoured and proud to become a Blue and I can’t wait to be a part of this winning team. I want to win prizes and play in the big games.
       “I’m looking forward to joining up with the team, it’s all going to be very new but I’m really excited.”

      Chelsea, who will push for a fifth WSL title next term, are going head-to-head with Barcelona in their first-ever Champions League final on May 16. 
      Meanwhile, Nouwen and her PSV team-mates are battling for the top spot in the Eredivisie play-offs. 
      And PSV are due to take on Den Haag for the Dutch Women’s FA Cup in June after beating Ajax 1-0 in the semi-finals. 
      Nouwen, who made her senior Netherlands debut against Poland in 2019, has become a key member of Sarina Wiegman’s squad making 14 international appearances. 
      The versatile defender was part of her country’s youth sides at the 2018 and 2017 Women’s Under-19 World Championships reaching the contest’s semi-final stages in 2017.
      Emma Hayes looking to strengthen her defensive ranks with Chelsea targeting a fifth WSL title next seasonCredit: Getty
      Nouwen, who plays for the senior team alongside WSL stars including Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk, netted her first international goal against Estonia. 
      And that 7-0 win against the European minnows – ranked the 106th best team in the world – helped the Netherlands reach the Women’s 2022 Euros. 
      The PSV star is also hoping to represent her country at the Tokyo Olympics in Japan this year.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Nouwen says having the chance to play in England has always been ‘a dream’Credit: Getty
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Football Association release roadmap to women’s FA Cup final in celebration of competition’s 50th anniversary

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      THE Football Association have revealed the dates for the remaining women’s FA Cup ties until the final in celebration of the competition’s 50th anniversary. Following the tournament’s untimely pause due to Covid, it must now carry on into next season.
      The FA have released the women’s FA Cup dates until the final which will be played next season
      The FA have joined forces with mobile networking company EE to present the final which will be played on Sunday December 5, 2021 at Wembley.
      The decision to choose this day is a poignant one as it marks the exact date a 100 years ago when the FA banned women’s football.
      Kelly Simmons, Director of Women’s Professional Game said using the date was a “fitting” tribute to all the female trailblazers who have played the sport.
      She said: “To mark the competition’s 50th anniversary, we felt it was fitting to schedule the 2021 Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final on 5 December, a date for many which represents the game’s lowest ebb.
      “We want to use the Cup Final day, always one of the most special in the calendar, as a platform to celebrate the game’s historic trailblazers.
      “Watching our best players at one of the best stadiums in the world, will hopefully continue to inspire a new generation to fall in love with women’s football.”
      The competition restarted at the end of March and has reached the fifth round stage which fixtures will be played from May 16 to May 20.
      The quarter-finals will take place on Wednesday 29 September , and the semi’s a month later on Sunday 31 October.
      The FA decided to play the final on the exact same date that the footballing authority banned women’s football a 100 years agoCredit: Getty

      The FA seem to planning a celebration after the final game which could see fans in attendance.
      Their press release said: “More details of the celebrations to be held and ticket details will be released in due course.”
      This decision is in line with the men’s game who the FA have allowed to have fans at the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals.
      The Carabao Cup final between Tottenham and Man City last month had 8,000 fans in attendance.
      And this amount will be extended to 21,000 for the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Leicester City.
      The FA have said fans will be allowed to attend the final just like the men’s gameCredit: Getty
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      Former Aston Villa boss Marcus Bignot hails Midlands teams for securing WSL survival and Eni Aluko

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      MARCUS BIGNOT has praised Aston Villa and Birmingham City for assuring that the Midlands will be represented in the WSL next season.Both teams from the region were embroiled in a fight for survival but came out unscathed from the battle that raged until the season finale.
      Bignot praised Villa and Birmingham for securing their WSL statusCredit: Reuters
      Leicester City make it a trio of Midland’s clubs in the top division after their promotion and Villa’s departing interim boss couldn’t be more delighted.
      The 46-year-old said: “For me, for Midlands football, I’m delighted.
      “There’ll be representation now with Aston Villa, Birmingham and now Leicester.”
      After slugging it out at the bottom end of the table, Bignot reckons now’s the time for the region’s sides to start challenging for the title and develop the sport in the area.
      The ex-Blues boss added: “I think it’s a real opportunity now for Midlands football to really sit at the top table now in the WSL.
      “And not only sit at the top table but really develop girls and women’s football in the area.”
      Bignot believes role models such as Villa director Eniola Aluko are critical to the development of the sport in the area.
      The Birmingham-born gaffer continued: “Let’s have some more role models, we’ve got our sporting director Eniola Aluko who’s had a fabulous career.
      Bignot now wants the region’s clubs to start challenging for the WSLCredit: Getty
      He also would like them to produce more role models like Villa director Eni AlukoCredit: Rex
      “Who’s gonna be the next one to make a name, who’s gonna be the next one to get into the senior team?
      “Which crop is going to be at the forefront of Midlands football and compete at the top level in the WSL?
      “That’s the challenge for Birmingham, Villa and Leicester now.”
      But domestic superiority isn’t enough for Bignot who feels the players from the Midlands need to infiltrate the England squad also.
      He claimed the the region used to be the core of the Lionesses squad and he wants to see those days return.
      Bignot said: “I’ve looked at the England senior team and there’s not much representation now from Birmingham and the Mildlands.
      “Whereas year’s gone by, Birmingham were the flagship at the Midlands in terms of developing England youth international and senior players.”
      Unfortunately, Bignot won’t have a hands-on role in the area’s football development due to his imminent exit from Villa’s dugout.
      Although he’ll no longer be in the WSL, Bignot will be kept busy with his academy , which was suspended during the Covid pandemic and his coaching role with England Under-19 men’s team.
      But before he gets stuck back in to his numerous roles, he plans to spend some quality time with his family.
      Bignot said: “I’m going to visit my nan, because I haven’t seen her for awhile. I miss my son who’s with my nan.
      “I’ve got my academy, we’ve got an exciting partnership with the famous City University.
      “I’ve got England Under-19’s and preparation for the qualifiers.”
      Despite his departure and future endeavours, Bignot remains committed to helping Midlands football in any way that he can.
      He said: “For me, in women’s football in the Midlands, I wanna see progress and in any way I can help, I’ll help.
      “I want to support the football club, the staff and players in any way that I can, so we shall see.”
      He became the club’s interim manager in January until the end of the season to help them stay in the league.

      When he arrived, Villa were in second from bottom with one win in ten games.
      But after an amazing run, which saw Villa go unbeaten in their last 5 games and earned Bignot with a Manager of the Month Award in April, they managed to turn things around.
      They went into the last game of the season against Arsenal needing a point to secure their league position, which they earned with a sublime performance.
      Bignot won’t be at the club to help them push for WSL success but says he’ll always be there to support any way that he canCredit: Getty
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      Arsenal reportedly closing in on Mana Iwabuchi transfer after Jill Roord’s move to Wolfsburg

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      ARSENAL are thought to be in pole position to sign Women’s World Cup-winning Japan star Mana Iwabuchi. The Telegraph claims Iwabuchi is being eyed as a replacement for Netherlands forward Jill Roord following her departure from the Gunners for Wolfsburg.
      Mana Iwabuchi is reportedly a transfer target for ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Japan star Iwabuchi has been linked with Arsenal following Jill Roord’s move to German giants WolfsburgCredit: Getty
      It is thought Arsenal, who finished third to qualify for next term’s Women’s Champions League, are looking to bolster their attacking ranks. 
      Roord, 24, netted seven goals for the club in 19 WSL games this term.
      These include hat-tricks against Reading and West Ham. 
      Iwabuchi, who has attracted interest from Arsenal in the past, has been making waves at Aston Villa. 
      The Japan international helped the Midlands club retain their WSL spot following a topsy-turvy battle against relegation.
      Results include a hard-fought point against the Gunners, restricting them to a goalless draw during Joe Montemurro’s final league game in charge of Arsenal.
      Iwabuchi, 28, whose Women’s Super League switch was announced in December, netted two goals in 13 top-flight appearances for Villa.
      The former Bayern Munich forward plied her trade at top-flight Japan side INAC Kobe Leonessa before making her move to England. 
      Iwabuchi was reportedly a target for Arsenal in the 2019-20 seasonCredit: Zuma Press
      It is reported Iwabuchi – who won the Women’s World Cup in 2011 with Japan – was a transfer target for Arsenal, who play Crystal Palace in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup.  
      In February Montemurro, 52, – who is set to leave the club – revealed the forward had been on his radar for more than a year. 
      The Gunners boss told fans site Arseblog: “Mana was a player of interest to me for around 18 months or so.
      “Firstly we had a few challenges with her national team who wanted their players in and around Japan for the World Cup and then the (2020) Olympics.

      “Initially we had planned around that but then the Olympic games were cancelled.
      “We had to look at other alternatives but Mana is a player I have always admired and feel that she suits our style.”
      Villa, who today confirmed the departures of head coach Gemma Davis and interim manager Marcus Bignot, two rising star academy forwards to their senior squad this year.
      Strikers Freya Gregory, 18, and Isobel Goodwin, 19, both signed their first professional contracts this term.
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Marcus Bignot has left his role as interim manager at Aston Villa Women’s following their WSL survivalCredit: Getty
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