Liverpool Football Club has officially appointed Gareth Taylor as the new head coach of their women’s team, marking a significant change in leadership as the club aims to improve on last season’s seventh-place finish in the Women’s Super League. Taylor, the former head coach of Manchester City Women, is making an exciting switch. She takes over for Amber Whiteley, who served as the interim head coach after Matt Beard was fired in February.
Taylor’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Liverpool. The squad revitalization project undertaken by the home team hopes to continue their good fortune from last season’s run. The club is just as keen to get younger players into the locker room camaraderie. This initiative follows in the wake of Olivia Smith’s transfer to Arsenal for a £1 million earlier this summer.
The year starts on September 7th! As well as the added spice of a Merseyside derby – Liverpool will play Everton Women’s team on Saturday – you can watch it all live on Sky Sports. We can hardly wait for this thunderdome of a derby! Liverpool fans will be looking forward to seeing how Taylor translates his vision and ideas into action on the pitch.
Taylor’s Track Record and Coaching Philosophy
With experience, leadership & world-class talent, Gareth Taylor joins Liverpool with plenty of firepower. He has managed Manchester City Women since 2020. Yet under his leadership, the technical team achieved extraordinary success. They won the FA Cup in 2020 and snatched up the League Cup in 2022. Challenges during his short tenure were many and daunting. Their poor form resulted in them narrowly missing out on a Champions League place last season.
Taylor’s free-flowing, attacking style based on high possession and a high press has often come under fire for its predictability and rigidity. This new approach had a strong and promising debut. Instead, it created deep divides in the squad, which resulted in a season that fell far short of their title aspirations.
“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Gareth to the club.” – Andy O’Boyle
Liverpool’s management are convinced that Taylor’s nine years at Manchester City’s academy will be vital. They are hopeful that he will help nurture young talent from within the Liverpool squad.
A Vision for Success
Taylor’s first job at Liverpool Women’s will be restoring the club to its previous level. The only thing missing is a clear vision from the club about what they want to see. They’re looking to get back to the pinnacles of women’s football.
“We have a very clear vision of how we will return LFC Women to the upper echelons of the game and this is a crucial step on that journey.” – Andy O’Boyle
Andy O’Boyle, Liverpool FC’s director of football operations, pointed to Taylor’s experience of creating teams around a clear identity. He made it clear that above all else, there needed to be a clear identity and playing style. One that players and supporters can relate to.
“Gareth shares that vision and we believe he has the qualities and experience to deliver it.” – Andy O’Boyle
The club’s commitment to developing a clear identity under Taylor’s leadership indicates a shift towards creating a more competitive environment as they prepare to face strong rivals like Manchester City and Manchester United.
Building a Competitive Team
As Liverpool embarks on this new chapter under Taylor, there is considerable hope that the inclusion of younger talent alongside experienced players will strengthen the squad. The team’s strategy seems clearly directed towards not just performing in the near term, but fostering sustainable growth and success.
The departure of key players like Olivia Smith poses challenges, but it opens opportunities for emerging stars within the club to step up. Fans are eager to see how Taylor will blend experience with youth in order to foster a new era for Liverpool Women.
The start of the Women’s Super League season is almost upon us. Liverpool are about to come back with a vengeance and show that they are serious title challengers again! Taylor’s appointment signals a renewed commitment to excellence and a determination to play ‘Liverpool football’ in front of passionate supporters.
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