Brentford have appointed female coach Lydia Bedford as manager of their men's Under-18s side in a historic decision.
Bedford, 35, leaves her current role with Arsenal Women, having been part of boss Jonas Eidevall's coaching staff for three months. She was previously England Women's youth team head coach before taking charge of Leicester Women in November 2021, helping them avoid relegation from the Women's Super League.
The 35-year-old's second season was less successful, as she lost her first six league games and was promptly replaced by ex- Everton boss Willie Kirk. Now Bedford - who has said her goodbyes to Arsenal's players this week after informing them of her landmark departure - has the opportunity to make history, entering an exclusive group of female coaches to work with men's teams at the elite level.
