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:
Swinton women’s Lionesses rebrand is officially off the ground
Danny Jones
Following an initial announcement late last year, local rugby club Swinton Lions’ women’s team has finally and fully rebranded as Manchester Swinton Lionesses.
The Salford-founded rugby league club, whose men’s team competes in the RFL Championship, has a long and rich competitive history, as well as a fervent male and female following in the area.
As one of the most important and well-established outfits in women’s rugby, Swinton Lions have not only officially relaunched as the Lionesses from 2026 onwards, but are looking to re-establish themselves as their own entity and a competitive powerhouse capable of competing at the top level.
In case you hadn’t heard about the rebrand up until now, you can get a closer look at changes not only to the name but the club crest and more.
As you can see, not only is the shift towards Manchester rather than just strictly Swinton a concerted effort to broaden the supporter base across all 10 boroughs, but there are some key tweaks to the new Lionesses badge.
Changing the design of the lion logo itself – as well as citing 2020 as a key date in this rebirth (i.e. the short-lived push to be renamed the ‘Manchester Lions’), which is more than half a decade in the making – they’re heading into the new year with both a new name and a slightly new look.
Just as reported by the likes of sports journalist Johnny Davidson back in November, however, the title and insignia have been a long time coming.
As per a press release by the club at the time, besides new kits and some key admin, “This evolution is about more than a new name or logo; it’s about creating a platform for women and girls across Greater Manchester to be inspired, to belong, and to believe they can achieve greatness in our sport.”
They insist that the aim is to be a “progressive club that’s proud of its history but unafraid to innovate”, also looking to attract new investors and commercial partners – such as Superfly Sports Flags, which will now appear on the likes of players’ shorts and boot bags, as well as around Heywood Road.
'The Swinton Lionesses today proudly announced the launch of their new identity – the Manchester Swinton Lionesses – marking an exciting new chapter not only for women’s rugby league but for the evolution and ambition of one of the sport’s most historic clubs.
Women’s captain Sammi Simpson went on to state: “We’re so proud of what this team has achieved in such a short time, and this next step feels like a natural evolution.
“Wearing ‘Manchester Swinton Lionesses’ on our shirts will remind us of where we’ve come from — and how far we can go together. We want to inspire the next generation of players, supporters, and families to be part of something special.”
Even Mayor Andy Burnham has expressed his excitement, adding: “Manchester is a city built on sport, strength, and community — and the Manchester Swinton Lionesses embody all of that.
“This new identity is a powerful statement about where women’s rugby league is heading and the role Greater Manchester will play in shaping that future.”
As any rugby fan will know, this isn’t the only rebirth of a local sporting institution currently taking place over in Salford.
Manchester City reach ‘agreement in principle’ to sign winger Antoine Semenyo
Danny Jones
Yes, if the latest reports are to be believed, Man City are further bolstering their offensive options with a deal for another wide forward in Bournemouth star, Antoine Semenyo, now virtually done.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, it looks as though City have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
According to sports journalists Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, the Blues have now reached an ‘agreement in principle’ for the Ghanaian international, meaning it is merely just a case of crossing Ts and dotting Is.
🚨 BREAKING: Antoine Semenyo's move to Manchester City from Bournemouth is now agreed in principle. Clubs in process of drafting paperwork.
Clarity on Semenyo's move date expected in the next 24 hours.
As per the update on New Year’s Day (and the opening 24 hours of the 2026 January transfer window), the talkSPORT correspondents claim that while final personal terms are still to be fully confirmed, the deal is effectively done.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses are likely to set a club record fee in terms of player sales.
Writing on social media, Crook said: “Semenyo move from #AFCB to #MCFC pretty much done now. Deal agreed in principle, and contracts being drafted by the two clubs.”
Moreover, Semenyo joining City could also set a few other dominoes in motion once officially over the line and fully announced…
However, it is also thought that manager Andoni Iraola’s insistence that the draw against Chelsea was “definitely not” his last game suggests that City fans will still have to wait some more before they see him in the sky blue strip.
The Cherries’ boss has been clear that he wants his attacking talisman to feature in their upcoming game against Arsenal this weekend.
As a result, this will most likely see completion of the albeit all but done transfer delayed even further, hence why Pep Guardiola and co. will have to wait to try him in the starting XI.
It’s also worth noting that although the 25-year-old made it clear he doesn’t just want somewhere he can win trophies, but has already named the Etihad Stadium as his desired destination, many have suggested that he could end up losing momentum amid the wealth of attackers being rotated.
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Danny Jones -
10th March 2025 
