Manchester United Women have offered manager Marc Skinner a new contract.
Terms have not yet been agreed, but both sides continue to talk and are keen to reach an agreement, with Skinner’s existing contract expiring at the end of this season.
This is United’s second move to the women’s team since new co-owner INEOS took control of the club’s football operations after buying a minority stake from the Glazer family for 1.3 billion dollars, following the appointment of Matt Johnson as head of the women’s team. football on an interim basis last month.
The decision to offer Skinner an extension was made by United’s current football management, under the supervision of INEOS. INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford has been with United since February, while Andy O’Boyle, United’s assistant director of football since May 2022, already oversees the women’s team as part of his role and will continue to do so. do alongside Johnson. .
John Murtough had worked as United’s director of football, a role which included the women’s team, but he leaves the club this week after more than 10 years in Manchester. Murtough will effectively be replaced by Dan Ashworth, once the Newcastle United sporting director’s gardening leave ends, and it will be his decision to trigger Skinner’s contract extension if the 41-year-old accepts the offer.
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United have had a difficult season under Skinner and are fourth in the Women’s Super League, 15 points behind leaders Chelsea and six points behind third-placed Arsenal, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot. Sections of the United fanbase have expressed opposition to Skinner’s management and Athleticism reported earlier this year that a small group of supporters were warned not to chant “we want Skinner out” after players and staff reportedly felt uncomfortable with the chant.
Skinner took over at United in July 2021 following the resignation of Casey Stoney. United finished fourth in Skinner’s first season in charge, followed by a second-placed finish last season.
Despite challenging Chelsea for the WSL title until the final day of the 2022-23 season, United failed to reach the Champions League group stage after suffering a 4-2 aggregate defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the second round of qualifying. offs. They were also knocked out of the Conti Cup in the group stage, but will face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final this Sunday.
Johnson, meanwhile, replaces outgoing head of women’s football Polly Bancroft, who will join League Two side Grimsby Town as chief executive at the end of the season. He will serve in the role for six months while United considers its longer-term model under INEOS.
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Last month, Athleticism has released a special report on United’s women’s team, which has revealed several key issues in the club’s recent past. These included United’s lack of signings due to delays at senior level, a lack of clarity regarding budget and strategy and reneging on a verbal agreement reached to keep former striker Alessia Russo, who later joined Arsenal.
“We will obviously have conversations about any topic that comes to our attention,” Skinner said when asked about AthleticismThe report. “It would be remiss to say I wouldn’t do that.” “But it’s also about balance, it’s really important because we’re never going to report all the good things that happen at our club because no one wants to hear good news.
“We have to grow here, there’s no doubt about it. There are some things we have accomplished fantastically in our six years of existence, but there are also things we can improve on.
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