Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood said she was “shocked” by the decision to sack head coach Gareth Taylor five days before the Women’s League Cup final.
City have experienced a downturn in form since missing out on the Women’s Super League title on goal difference last year, and find themselves fourth in the table this season.
They are 12 points behind leaders Chelsea, while they are also a point behind third-placed Arsenal for a European place, with the Gunners also boasting a game in hand.
Taylor, however, has led his side to the latter stages of three cup competitions, with City still in contention for the Women’s Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
The 52-year-old helped the Citizens to the FA Cup in 2020 and the League Cup two years later, winning 117 of his 161 games in charge across all competitions (D15 L29).
“I had to digest it – I was obviously quite shocked when I was first told as it wasn’t something I expected,” Greenwood said.
“Ultimately, the decision was made, and we have to respect the decision and trust the decision.”
Manchester City Women have parted ways with Head Coach Gareth Taylor.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 10, 2025
Greenwood added that she was not told any more about why the club made the decision, but said her sole focus was on this weekend’s final at Pride Park.
“My role as captain is to bring the team together and make sure the focus remains the same – which is on the final on Saturday and the run of games we’ve got coming up.
“I was shocked by the news, of course. I think the focus quickly shifted to what’s next, what is important to the team and that’s the final on Saturday.”
City have turned back to their former coach, Nick Cushing, who led the team between 2013 and 2020 and delivered the club’s only WSL crown in 2016.
Cushing, who most recently managed New York City FC in the MLS, also won the FA Cup in 2017 and two League Cups in 2014 and 2016 with the Citizens.
“We were excited by that appointment because he knows the club really well,” Greenwood added.
“He’s been here before, he comes with a huge history of winning and his mentality to win is second to none. I had a really, really good chat with him on Tuesday morning.
“He had a great meeting with the team – a really, really positive one.
“It was ultimately about winning and what is achievable, what we need to focus on, which, first of all, is Saturday.”
