Gareth Taylor Out as Manager Before Cup Final
Manchester City just fired Gareth Taylor as manager, just five days before their big League Cup final against Chelsea. Apparently, there was some player drama and a feeling that Taylor didn’t trust the whole squad, which led to him getting the boot. Players had a lot to say about it online. Players React to Taylor’s Sudden Departure.
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Players Sound Off After Taylor’s Exit
Some ex- and current City players hinted they weren’t happy with how Taylor was running things. Ellie Roebuck, who used to be England’s main goalie, posted a shady message on Instagram: What goes around, comes around. Chloe Kelly, now at Arsenal on loan, liked the club’s announcement about Taylor getting sacked. Other big names like Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, and Caroline Weir had already left City while Taylor was in charge, choosing to play for clubs in Spain and Germany that are doing better. All these exits made City look bad and made it harder to get new talent. Players React to Taylor’s Sudden Departure.
How Taylor Handled Players
Taylor didn’t like to switch up the lineup much, and that caused problems. Ellie Roebuck, who had a lot of potential, got benched for Khiara Keating—who then got benched herself later. Word is that Taylor’s management messed with Roebuck’s confidence, which really upset her. And Chloe Kelly, who was a star in EURO 2022, barely got any playtime. She said she was annoyed about how she was treated and that not playing was hurting her career and her mental health. Players React to Taylor’s Sudden Departure.
Not Enough Rotation
Taylor was known for not making subs, even when the team wasn’t doing great. This season, they made the fewest subs in the league (tied with West Ham), even though City is supposed to be a top team. Last season, City only made 72 subs, but Chelsea and Arsenal each made over 100. By basically only playing a few players, some key players like Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood, and Bunny Shaw ended up getting injured. When those players were out, City was in trouble because they didn’t have enough depth.
The Last Straw
Right before his last game, Taylor said his team wasn’t good enough to compete. It sounds like he was blaming the players, and that might have been the thing that got him fired. Charlotte O’Neill, City’s managing director, and other board members probably thought it was time for a change.
What Now
Nick Cushing, who coached City when they won their only WSL title in 2016, is taking over for the rest of the season. The club needs to try and make the best of things, maybe win a trophy or at least get a spot in the Champions League. After the mess under Taylor, it’s hard to say if they can turn things around in time.
