Sport

Manchester City Women part ways with manager Gareth Taylor just FIVE days before cup final

Interesting timing, to say the least.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th March 2025

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.

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:

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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.

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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:

Fernandinho has reportedly been offered a coaching role at Manchester City
Gareth Taylor might be sacked but another former player might be coming back.

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Featured Images — Manchester City (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026

Danny Jones Danny Jones Dame Sarah Storey on Strictly Come Dancing cast for 2026

Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.

With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.

That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.

Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.

Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.

Absolute GOAT levels.

But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.

Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.

“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”

This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.

What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.

She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.

In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.

In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.

BBC’s popular Stockport-set sitcom Daddy Issues to return for third and FINAL series
It really is a great watch if you’ve never tried it before.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE

Featured Images — BBC/@Kafuffle (via Flickr)

Sport

Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?

England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.

Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.

Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.

But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.

Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.

Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.

Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.

Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.

Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.

It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.

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So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.

You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.

Featured Image – Oasis (via YouTube)

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