Aston Villa have appointed the Dutch coach Robert de Pauw as their manager on a three-year contract, with the option of a further year.
The 42-year-old has made the switch from Bayer Leverkusen, where he was in charge for two seasons, and his arrival ends the Women’s Super League side’s lengthy search to find a replacement for Carla Ward. She announced on 3 May that she was leaving to spend more time with her loved ones, after three years at the helm.
