Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.31 2022-23

Manchester City are delighted to announce the appointment of Nils Nielsen as Director of
Football for the Club’s women’s team, subject to work permit approval.
Nielsen will take charge of coach and player development across the women’s first
team setup, while leading on player recruitment across the entirety of the women and girls’
pathway at the Academy Stadium.
Head Coach Gareth Taylor and Girls’ Academy Technical Director Jayne Ludlow will
work directly under the Dane, with him then reporting into Managing Director Gavin
Makel who will continue to head up overall business operations for Manchester City Women.
He arrives in Manchester boasting a lengthy and impressive résumé having spent a
decade in the professional game on the international stage, overseeing the development of
Denmark’s U18s before making the switch to his homeland’s women’s senior side in 2013.
Impressing during his four years in charge, his time with the team culminated in them
reaching the final of the 2017 UEFA Women’s European Championships where they were
narrowly beaten by the Netherlands in a six-goal thriller.
is efforts however did earn him a place on the final shortlist for FIFA The Best
Women’s Coach in the same year, with him being pipped to the accolade by now-England
boss Sarina Wiegman, whose Dutch team denied him and his side Euros success.
Enjoying a brief stint as assistant of China women’s Under-20s side in 2018, leading
them to qualification for the U20 Women’s World Cup, the Dane took the reins of
Switzerland women’s national team the same year.
Remaining in post until after last summer’s UEFA Women’s European
Championships here in England, Nielsen now makes the foray into club and English
football for the first time as City’s inaugural Director of Football for their women’s team.
He will also be supported by former City and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, who
will assist and work alongside the experienced figure in his new role once she has
completed the development programme that she is currently undertaking with the Club.
Speaking after the news of his move was confirmed, Nielsen said: “I am very happy to
be here at Manchester City. Moving away from coaching and into a directorial role, it is
ultimately about making a difference and working closely with people across the whole set
up.
“I’ve always been incredibly passionate about the development side of the game – that
has driven me throughout my career. Manchester City want to be pioneering, and that
makes this the perfect club for me to be at.
“You don’t get it much better than here – you have everything you need to be the best
you can be, and I know there are exciting plans to come.
“This is a Club that will continue to grow, and that makes me very excited for what lies
ahead in the future.”

Manchester United are delighted to announce that England U19 international Evie
Rabjohn has agreed to join the club at the end of the season.
Evie will train with the team immediately, ahead of her formal registration with the
FA for the 2023-24 season.
Evie Rabjohn said: “This is such a big club and to be able to sign here with my family
around me, is what dreams are made of. I’ll do anything for this team, to get us to where we
want to be.”
United manager Marc Skinner added: “Evie is a fantastic young player that I have
known since she was ten years old, and whose progress I have been monitoring ever since.
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