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Manchester United announced today that women’s head coach Casey Stoney will be stepping down from her role at season’s end.
Casey Stoney said:
“It has been an honour to lead the women’s team at this great club and this has been an incredibly tough decision. Having come on board to start the team from scratch, then winning the Women’s Championship in our first season, we have now successfully established the team as a force in the Women’s Super League.”
“I have loved leading this group and I am proud of what we have achieved together. However, after a difficult season with disruption caused by the pandemic, I now feel the time is right to take some time away and for someone else to come in and lead the team on the next stage of its journey. I want to thank the club, all of the fantastic staff, the fans, and most of all the players, for the incredible experience we have shared over the past three years.”
Breaking: Casey Stoney has resigned as manager of #mufc Women. It is understood Stoney has been unhappy with some of the training conditions for United’s players in the past few months #mulive [@TeleFootball]
— utdreport (@utdreport) May 12, 2021
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward had this to say:
“Casey has been a driving force behind the success of our Women’s team since she joined the club in 2018. She has been an inspiration to her players and staff, to everyone at the club, and to the fans. Everyone at Manchester United thanks her for her unstinting hard work and dedication and pays tribute to her achievements. She will always be part of the Manchester United family.”
Stoney joined United in 2018, guiding Manchester United Women to promotion in the team’s inaugural season, and then to a 4th place finish in their first season in the WSL — missing out on Champions League qualification by just a point. Seen as one of the most promising young managers in the women’s game, Stoney’s surprise announcement comes as a blow. Stoney’s unexpected resignation was compounded by reports that the former England international was unhappy at substandard facilities and resources at United, and by a perceived lack of support.
The club is in the process of recruiting a new Women’s Head Coach and this will be announced in due course.