Man City Women part ways with Taylor after five years

Manchester City have parted company with head coach Gareth Taylor.

Taylor's departure comes a day after he guided his side to a 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win against Aston Villa to set up a semi-final against holders Manchester United.

City sit fourth in the Women's Super League, one point behind third-placed Arsenal having played one game more, but 12 behind champions Chelsea.

The 52-year-old had been in charge of the club since 2020 and led City to an FA Cup win that year and League Cup success in 2022. Under Taylor, City missed out on the 2023/24 WSL title to Chelsea on goal difference.

City take on Chelsea in the Women's League Cup final on Saturday to begin a run of four games against the undefeated WSL table-toppers in 12 days.

Ex-Man City Women coach Nick Cushing will succeed Taylor on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.

In a statement from the club, managing director Charlotte O'Neil said: "Manchester City prides itself on competing at the top of the WSL and on its outstanding record of qualifying for European competition.

"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 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."

Interim Cushing was City boss during their first WSL season in 2014, leading them to their only title win two years later.

He also steered the team to an FA Cup and two League Cup successes before departing in 2020 to work in men's football at New York City FC, where he had been head coach for the last two seasons before being sacked in November.