Key Highlights
- Prêcheur is the second WSL manager to lose their job in the space of four days, following Rehanne Skinner’s sacking by West Ham on Thursday. Chelsea hammer dismal Liverpool 9-1 and storm into Women’s League Cup semisRead morePrêcheur had been in charge of London City since the summer of 2024.
- He led them to the second-tier title last term during his first season in charge, winning 13 out of 20 Championship matches to pip Birmingham to the title on the final day of the season by a two-point margin. The former Paris Saint-Germain coach’s exit has been described by sources as a purely footballing decision.
- The 43-year-old is understood to have been popular around the club but the long-term ambitions of the owner Michele Kang, who also owns Washington Spirit and the eight-time European champions OL Lyonnes, are to take the team to the very top. A club statement about Prêcheur’s exit on Sunday read: “Under his leadership, the club achieved a historic promotion and finishes the first half of the season in sixth position.“Following careful consideration, the club believes that now is the right time to begin a new cycle and pursue a different strategic direction for the next phase of its development.
- London City Lionesses sincerely thanks Jocelyn Prêcheur and his coaching staff for their professionalism, commitment, and significant contribution to the club’s recent sporting success, and wishes them every success in their future careers.“Further updates regarding the club’s coaching structure will be communicated in due course.”Meanwhile West Ham are to appoint the former Juventus head coach Rita Guarino as their new women’s team manager, the Guardian understands. According to sources, talks have been ongoing between the club and the former Italy striker for several weeks and she should be unveiled before Christmas.
- It will be the 99-times capped former international’s first managerial role in England. Rita Guarino won 99 caps for Italy and four consecutive titles as head coach of Juventus uality Sport Images/Getty ImagesIt is understood a contract until 2027 is most likely for the 54-year-old, who won four consecutive Serie A titles when in charge of Juventus, between the 2017-18 and 2020-21 seasons.
