Casey Stoney will step down as Manchester United Women’s boss at the end of the season after three years with the Red Devils as the former England star says it was ‘an honour’ to become their first ever coach
- Man United Women’s boss Casey Stoney will quit her role at end of the season
- Stoney became the club’s first coach when they were established in 2018
- She led them to the Women’s Championship and promotion in their first season
- Stoney said it was an ‘incredibly tough’ decision and ‘an honour’ to lead the side
Casey Stoney will leave Manchester United Women at the end of the season – three years after she became the club’s first ever coach.
Stoney said she was looking to spend some time away from management after the ‘disruption’ caused by the pandemic, but admitted it was an ‘incredibly tough’ decision to step down.
Stoney was appointed in 2018 and tasked with starting a new team from scratch after United decided to finally introduce a Women’s squad.
Casey Stoney will step down as Manchester United Women’s coach at the end of the season
The former England international has helped establish the team in the Women’s Super League
The former England defender has helped United become an established side in the Women’s Super League having secured the Women’s Championship and promotion in her maiden season.
‘It has been an honour to lead the women’s team at this great club and this has been an incredibly tough decision,’ she told the club’s official website.
‘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.
She admitted it was an ‘incredibly tough’ decision after becoming their first ever coach in 2018
‘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.’
United said they were in the process of appointing Stoney’s successor and would make an annoucement shortly.
Manchester United CEO Ed Woodward hailed the work Stoney had done in making the club such a success since taking over and called her ‘an inspiration’.
She said it was ‘an honour’ to lead the side but was looking to spend time away from football
Stoney led the side to the Women’s Championship and promotion in the club’s maiden season
‘Casey has been a driving force behind the success of our Women’s team since she joined the club in 2018,’ Woodward said.
‘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 – one of England Women’s most capped players with 130 appearances for the Three Lions – had a long and successful career, turning out for Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool and also competed for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics in London.
After hanging up her boots she briefly joined Phil Neville’s backroom staff on the England team before linking up with the Red Devils for her first post.
