Manchester City have confirmed the appointment of Nils Nielsen as director of football for the club’s women’s team. The 51-year-old will take charge of coach and player development across City's first team set-up, as well as lead recruitment across the women and girls’ pathway.
Nielsen has a lengthy CV, having previously coached in Denmark, China and Switzerland. In 2017, he guided Denmark to the Euro final before they were beaten 4-2 by the Netherlands. That year, Nielsen was shortlisted for FIFA The Best Women’s Coach but was pipped by now-England manager Sarina Wiegman.
He will be supported by former City and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, while head coach Gareth Taylor and girls’ academy technical director Jayne Ludlow will work directly under him. Nielsen will report to the women's managing director Gavin Makel, the club have confirmed.
