In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Manchester City have sacked their women’s team manager Gareth Taylor less than a week before a crucial cup final.
Taylor has been in charge of the Man City Women first team since May 2020, having only just signed a new three-year contract last March, however, it now looks as though there’s been a big sea change at the Joie Stadium.
Having been with the club for the best part of eight years, first as a player (1998-2001) and then as a coach, it’s the end of an era not just for City but for him personally too.
Announced on Monday, 10 March, the club revealed that they have “parted ways” with the retired Welsh forward-turned-manager, adding that ex-head coach Nick Cushing will be replacing him on an interim basis for the rest of the season.
BREAKING: Manchester City Women part ways with Gareth Taylor, as Nick Cushing replaces head coach on an interim basis 🚨 pic.twitter.com/qAdNdGSDxE
Writing in a lengthy statement, the club said: “Taylor has a long-standing association with Manchester City, having been both a player and having undertaken various roles within the boys’ academy prior to joining MCWFC in 2020.
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“He led our women’s team to FA Cup and League Cup success in 2020 and 2022 respectively, before narrowly missing out on last season’s WSL title on goal difference alone.”
MCWFC Managing Director, Charlotte O’Neill, added: “Manchester City prides itself on competing at the top of the WSL and on its outstanding record of qualifying for European competition.
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“Unfortunately, results this season have so far not reached this high standard. With six games of the WSL campaign remaining, we believe that a change of management will breathe fresh life into our bid to ensure qualification for the 2025/26 UEFA Women’s Champions League.”
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Gareth for all of his efforts during his many years at City. Our FA Cup and League Cup triumphs will remain special moments in the history of this football club. We wish him all the best for the future.”
Supporters have been posting their opinions on the news across social media:
Although not everyone will be totally surprised to see him go – especially after making his frustration at Chloe Kelly’s own departure from the club to title rivals Arsenal rather publicly known in a recent press conference – the timing is nevertheless curious.
With Man City set to face WSL top dogs Chelsea in the Women’s League Cup final this Saturday, not to mention another three crucial knockout ties on the horizon in the next few weeks, sacking a manager seems like a rather bold step by the Blues.
It’s also worth noting that Taylor led them to win the trophy in 2022 and the FA Women’s Cup just two years before that.
For context, their next six games include the final, a two-legged Champions League quarter (also against the East London giants) and a Manchester derby FA Women’s Cup semi.
Even with the league fixtures, there are no small games, as the saying goes.
As for Gareth Taylor himself, we’ll have to wait to see if the now ex-Women’s manager shares any kind of response in the coming days and weeks but it’s fair to say the decision has been made at a crucial time.
The club currently sit fourth in the table and a full 12 points off the league leaders What do you make of it, City fans – right call or would you have liked him to stay?
As for the men’s team, there could be another interesting development in regards to the backroom staff and a potential new assistant coach:
Travel warning issued as tens of thousands to descend for Manchester Half Marathon
Daisy Jackson
A travel warning has been issued ahead of the Manchester Half Marathon this weekend, with tens of thousands of runners and spectators expected to arrive in the city.
People are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of time, with significant road closures in place from the city centre as far out as Sale.
Road closures – and subsequent bus diversions – will also affect parts of Stretford, Chorlton, Trafford, and surrounding areas.
Around 32,000 people are expected to take part in the Manchester Half Marathon this Sunday, with thousands more coming out to cheer the runners on.
Transport for Greater Manchester is advising people that the Bee Network trams will be the best way to get around over the weekend.
Extra trams will be operating to provide as much capacity as possible.
Road closures and bus diversions will start on Saturday 3 October and continue until the actual race day on Sunday 4 October, lifting fully by 8.30pm.
Tens of thousands of runners and spectators will descend on Manchester for the half marathon
Earlier this year, the Manchester Marathon led to a record-breaking day for Metrolink trams, with the highest number of passengers ever recorded on a single day in the network’s history.
Whether running or cheering, people are advised to use the Bee Network app to plan their journeys and are strongly encouraged not to drive within the affected areas.
Steve Gilholme, Head of Events at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “The Manchester Half Marathon is another one of those special occasions where the people of Greater Manchester and beyond come together, with thousands of people taking on the challenge and raising money for good causes, while many more will line the route to cheer them on.
“This does mean the city centre and especially trams will be incredibly busy so please plan ahead and give yourself extra time to make journeys.
“The Bee Network app and website will be the best places to get the latest travel information and tap and go contactless payments are the quickest and easiest way to pay.”
You can see all the road closures for the Manchester Half Marathon HERE.
Inside the beautiful, exclusive gym in the heart of Manchester that’s open to the public for the first time ever
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s most exclusive and comprehensive boutique gyms has opened its doors to the public for the first time.
This hidden fitness space is within the Treehouse Hotel, which opened on a prime spot on Deansgate last year.
The beautiful gym space had only been accessible to hotel guests until now, who have been lucky to train on top-spec equipment while visiting Manchester.
But now Treehouse Hotel is welcoming in the wider public to The Playground, with a strictly limited number of memberships up for grabs – and we’ve got a lovely 50% off discount code for you too (more on that below).
With two membership options to choose from, members can enjoy 24/7 gym access, preferential rates on padel court hire and complimentary access to premium recovery equipment, alongside luxury changing facilities.
The space looks beautiful as well as being functional too, with huge skylights overhead and plenty of greenery on the walls.
At a time when Manchester is seeing changes to its boutique fitness scene, The Playground offers a chance to train in a design-led space that has everything you need to prioritise your health and fitness.
Inside The Playground gym at Treehouse Hotel. Credit: The Manc Group
The Technogym equipment inside The Playground at Treehouse Hotel includes two squat racks, cable machines, a leg press, free weights, a full suite of cardio equipment including stairmaster, rower and treadmills, plus a full track with a sled.
There’s also a studio area in one corner, with digital workouts ranging from pilates to HIIT.
And in the recovery zone, members can make use of Therabody RecoveryAir compression boots and Theragun massage devices, placing recovery on equal footing with performance.
There are two membership options available at The Playground, catering to different fitness and wellness needs.
Sprout Membership – £65 per month
The Sprout Membership includes 24/7 gym access, preferential rates on padel court hire throughout the week and complimentary use of the recovery equipment, including pneumatic compression boots and massage guns. Members can also enjoy private changing facilities, complimentary chilled towels and fresh fruit-infused water.
Treetop Membership – £80 per month
For those looking to make wellness a bigger part of their routine, the Treehouse Membership includes everything in the Sprout package, alongside a range of additional benefits.
Members receive 15% off Good Sauna sessions and plunge baths, as well as exclusive discounts on padel bookings, with 15% off weekday and 10% off weekend bookings.
The membership also includes discounts on selected wellness food, drinks and products, as well as one complimentary freshly prepared smoothie every month.
Theraguns in the recovery zoneMore machines at The Treehouse hotelGreat facilities in The Playground
With 24/7 access to the gym, additional wellness benefits and a premium recovery offering, The Playground provides a new way to stay active in the heart of Manchester.
You can get a whopping 50% off for your first month’s subscription with our code ‘THEMANC’.
The officer is valid for purchases made until 31 October 2026.
Danny Jones -
10th March 2025 
