Manchester United Women on June 8 confirmed former England captain Casey Stoney's appointment as the first ever head coach. The newly-formed women’s team has finally geared up with its recently appointed coach Casey, who won 130 caps for the England women's team. She has also earned 12 major trophies during her career, and retired from playing earlier this year.
According to Telegraph Sport last month, the 36-year-old star has quit her job as assistant to Phil Neville to take up the United role. She is intended to coach the new team with the newly-branded WSL Championship at the first attempt. She is also encouraged to take the women's team in next season's FA Women's Championship, which was approved by the Football Association last month.
Stoney also represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics. She donned the hat of assistant coach to the Lionesses
Stoney is a well-known figure in the fraternity and is a role model for the women who aspire to be footballers. She retired last season in order to concentrate on coaching after a career with Arsenal, Liverpool and England.
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The club now prepares for their landmark return to the game.
The team is coming back with a bang since it was only last month that they were granted a licence to play in next season's second-tier Championship. United have not fielded a women's team since 2005.
There is a lot of expectation from Stoney. The former centre-back won 130 international caps and when Neville was appointed England manager earlier this year, he recommended her name. The decision was made based on Stoney's vast experience in women’s football.
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"Appointing Casey shows the desire we have to succeed,” said executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. “And her experience and knowledge of the game, both as a coach and as a player, made her a stand-out candidate for the role.
“During her successful playing career, spanning over 18 years, she earned over 100 caps for England and is a proven leader as a coach and having captained many of the sides she has played for, she brings a positive and winning mentality which will be a huge benefit to the team.
“Casey will build on the success of the Girls’ Regional Talent Club and shares our philosophy of creating a pathway from academy to first team. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome her to Manchester United.”
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Stoney is now expected to build the team from scratch.
“I am delighted to have joined Manchester United,” said Stoney to The Telegraph. ”This is the biggest club in the world. The fact that we are going to have a women’s team and I’m going to be able to introduce that from scratch, to build a team, build a philosophy, with the biggest club in the world, means that, for me, there is no more exciting opportunity."
“My ultimate aim is to grow this team so that every little girl growing up dreams of playing for Manchester United when she’s older, because they’re the most successful team in women’s football,” she added.
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Feature Image Credit: aboutmanchester.co.uk
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