We are just a matter of weeks into the 2024/25 season, and already the WSL has had its first managerial casualty.
Jonas Eidevall called it quits after just over three seasons at Arsenal earlier this week, a decision that followed a string of disappointing results. Pressure had been mounting on the Swede in recent weeks, and some fans were openly calling for his resignation.
Now, one of the most high-profile jobs in the women’s game is available. The Gunners have already begun the process of appointing Eidevall’s successor, but assistant Renee Slegers is in charge of the team on an interim basis until a permanent decision is made.
90min have assessed and ranked the names in the running to take charge of the Gunners.
We’ll keep this one short and sweet.
Phil Neville is one of the bookies’ favourites, but the likelihood of him actually being offered the job is slim. He has experience in the women’s game as the former head coach of the Lionesses, but he has since returned to men’s football with Inter Miami and now Portland Timbers in MLS.
The 47-year-old would almost certainly be an unpopular appointment among the fans. Arsenal can do a lot better.
Again, an unlikely candidate. Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere knows the club and understands what it means to represent the Gunners, and he is currently coaching the men’s under-18 team.
But, with no experience in the women’s game, or of management at a senior level, it would be a risky appointment to say the least. If the aim is to win silverware, Arsenal will need to turn to more tried and tested names.
When news of Eidevall’s resignation broke on Tuesday morning, Casey Stoney immediately emerged as perhaps the strongest option. She’s available, boasts WSL experience with Manchester United, represented Arsenal as a player, and is one of the most respected figures in the game.
The 42-year-old would have been top of this list if not for a report from the BBC indicating that she is not currently under consideration for the job. That could of course change, but given the links have already been squashed, it seems far fetched to suggest she will take over.
A list of potential candidates wouldn’t be complete without the interim. Dutchwoman Renee Slegers has been part of Arsenal’s coaching setup since last year, and she also succeeded Eidevall at Rosengard in Sweden.
She had two successful seasons, winning two Damallsvenskan titles, before she left her role in April 2023. At 35, it is not yet known whether she has the experience and know-how to take on a job of this magnitude, but Arsenal’s hierarchy will no doubt be assessing how the next few games pan out.
Mark Parsons is another outside shout for the role, although can be filed under the less popular options. The 38-year-old has coached previously in England in Chelsea’s academy and reserve setup, but he truly made a name for himself in the NWSL, having been Coach of the Year in 2016.
Interestingly, he succeeded Sarina Wiegman as head coach of the Dutch national team in 2021. But it was a short-lived and somewhat disappointing appointment. He returned to the US shortly after to rejoin Washington Spirit, but he spent just one season in charge and is currently out of work.
The Australia connection could make former Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson an interesting appointment. He has coached in his homeland of Sweden, the US and, most recently, the Australia women’s national team.
He spent four years in his previous role, and guided the team to the World Cup semi-finals in 2023. He stepped down over the summer, so is readily available. He would also be familiar with Arsenal’s Australian contingent.
Laura Harvey would be among the more popular candidates to succeed Eidevall. The 44-year-old has coached Arsenal before, over a decade ago and won back-to-back titles to kick off the WSL era. But it is her recent time in America that makes her an even more desired appointment now.
She is currently in her second spell with NWSL side Seattle Reign, and is under contract until 2025, so it could prove to be difficult to get over the line. The fact she was tipped to take on the USWNT job before Emma Hayes was appointed underlines her credentials at the highest level.
Look away, Orlando Pride fans. With the NWSL season set to come to a close early next month, it’s probably the ideal time to assess the US market.
Born in England, Hines was a product of Middlesbrough’s academy, but he ended his playing career across the pond with Orlando City.
Therefore, it is no surprise his entire coaching career has been in the same city. He has overseen a remarkable rebuild with the Pride, and guided the team to their first trophy earlier this month in the form of the NWSL shield.
En-route to silverware, they sustained a record-breaking 23-match unbeaten run, and they boast one of the strongest defensive units in the league. It’s fair to say this would be a strong appointment for Arsenal.
