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:
A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of the Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Tom Aspinall, Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith and more set to join latest Fight Day 5k in Manchester
Danny Jones
Big names from the world of combat sports are returning to town, not just for the next boxing match happening in Greater Manchester, but for the now regular Fight Day 5k alongside it.
Organised with promoters Matchroom Boxing, local club Manchester Road Runners (MRR), along with a number of other sponsors like Everlast, they’re hoping to make this one of their biggest yet.
Plus, with the likes of Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall in tow and Eddie Hearn himself set to lead the route around central Manchester, there’s just as much reason to be excited by the morning run as there is the next fight.
This event has happened multiple times in 0161 before, but with more people expected to turn up than ever and a homegrown fighter following up later in the day, this one feels extra special.
Scheduled fresh on Good Friday, 3 April (after all, fighters get up earlier than most), the 5k jog around the city centre will be hosted from House of Social – who have been teaming up with MRR for weekly running events since last November – and a whole host of other familiar names are due to join in.
Better still, there’ll be lots of fun to be had later on too, with participants encouraged not only to turn up early and soak up the atmosphere, but to stick around afterwards for a chance to meet Matchroom talents, as well as enjoy a thoroughly deserved post-run drink and chill.
Plus, in case you haven’t tried it before, the scran at House of Social is top-notch and well worth a try.
This latest Fight Day 5k is, of course, being hosted ahead of Sale-born rising star Pat Brown taking on Vasil Ducar on Friday night.
Facing off against the Czech fighter at the Planet Ice arena in Altrincham, the native Team GB boxer couldn’t have put things plainer in his pre-match presser…
So much for trash-talk: he just told everyone how it is.
This will be just the 26-year-old’s sixth fight as a pro, but having won all of his first five fights last year by knockout, we have a sneaking suspicion 2026 is going to be his year.
In terms of his opponent, Ducar is a much more experienced challenge than he’s ever faced before, with a record of 19-7-2 – 14 of those wins also being KOs.
There are still tickets left for the fight, which will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN from 7pm (ringwalks at approximately 9:39pm), and for those of you who want to join in with the partnered Fight Day 5k, you can sign up completely free right HERE.
Danny Jones -
10th March 2025 
