Manchester United have confirmed Eva Olid as their new women's manager on a two-year deal with an option for a further 12 months. The former Hearts boss replaces Marc Skinner, who left the role by mutual consent on Monday – a month before the start of the Women's Super League (WSL) season.
Eva Olid, a 40-year-old Spaniard, has been appointed as the new manager of Manchester United Women's team. She has a proven track record of developing young players and taking teams to new heights, having led Hearts to their first Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) title last season.
Olid's appointment comes as a surprise to many, given her lack of experience in the WSL and Europe. However, her success in Scotland and her ability to develop young players make her an attractive candidate for the role. Manchester United's director of women's football Matt Johnson has praised Olid's commitment to developing homegrown and young players.
The new manager has already started working with the players and has expressed her excitement about supporting them to fulfill their immense potential. "The opportunity to become head coach of Manchester United Women is a dream come true," Olid said. She has also stated that she is looking forward to working with the players to improve their skills and achieve their goals.
Hearts, where Olid was previously the boss, have never been one of the main players in Scotland. However, under Olid's leadership, they became top scorers in the SWPL last season with 85 goals. They also developed a plan B, which saw them go defensive in key games and secure crucial wins.
Olid's attacking approach, based on a 3-4-3 formation, has been praised by her former players. Former Hearts captain Georgia Hurst has described Olid as a "great manager" who helped her learn a lot during her time at the club. Hurst has also praised Olid's ability to develop young players, citing the example of the Husband twins Erin and Jess, who both made their debuts under her aged 15.
Manchester United's new manager has a lot to prove, given the scrutiny and expectation that comes with the role. She will have to deal with pressure and expectation, both from the fans and the media, as she prepares the team for the upcoming WSL season. Her first job will be to galvanise a depleted squad this summer, embed youthful talent, and prepare for the season opener at London City Lionesses.
The appointment of Olid has been met with excitement and anticipation, both within and outside the club. Manchester United's fans will be eager to see how she performs in her new role and whether she can lead the team to success in the WSL. The season opener against London City Lionesses will be a good marker of where United are at, and Olid's ability to lead the team to a win will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
The new season is just four weeks away, and Manchester United's women's team will be looking to make a statement under their new manager. Olid's appointment has brought a new level of excitement and anticipation to the club, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see how she performs in her new role.
Source: BBC Sports