Eva Olid appointed new Man Utd Women head coach after Marc Skinner exit
Former Hearts boss Eva Olid has been appointed as Man Utd Women's new head coach; it comes after Marc Skinner's departure on Monday; Man Utd face London City Lionesses in their WSL opener on September 4, live on Sky Sports
Wednesday 5 August 2026 17:24, UK
Manchester United Women have appointed Eva Olid as their new head coach.
She replaces Marc Skinner, who left the club on Monday after five years in charge. His departure came just a month before their WSL opener against London City Lionesses on September 4, live on Sky Sports.
It will now be Olid's job to prepare the squad for the upcoming campaign, having led Hearts to a historic first Scottish title last season before departing in the summer.
- 'Man Utd concerned about cost of WSL title chase' - Why Marc Skinner left
- Transfer Centre LIVE! | WSL latest news and transfers
- Got Sky? Watch WSL games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺
The Spaniard also spent five years at her former club, joining in 2021. She had plenty of success too, with Hearts reaching their first Scottish Cup final in 2024, where they lost to Rangers.
However, they did finish two points clear of the Gers in the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) last term, with Olid leaving on a high after it had been announced in April that she would leave by mutual consent at the end of the season.
She is seen by Man Utd as the ideal candidate to develop players within the current squad as well as players coming through the academy.
Olid said: "The opportunity to become head coach of Manchester United Women is a dream come true.
"The club has outstanding infrastructure and everything we need to achieve our ambitions. We have an excellent training facility, an academy that is already producing players capable of performing in a competitive first team and an exceptional group of support staff."
Man Utd changing their approach to the women's team
The ethos of the women's team is changing. When Ratcliffe and INEOS came in, the target was to win the league by 2028.
Now, the focus is completely different, with the club deciding to concentrate on the academy and developing players from within to challenge for silverware.
Man Utd believe investing more significantly in their academy will lead to longer-term success rather than higher investment in the transfer market which they currently believe is unsustainable.
They feel there has been a lack of return on investment in star players and big wages and are concerned about the ever-increasing cost of trying to be a WSL title contender.
Of course, the men's academy has a history of winning trophies with academy products, but this is untested in the women's game.
But this approach also takes something that is almost anonymous in football - time.
Skinner led Man Utd to four finals - three in the FA Cup and one in the League Cup - winning their first major trophy in the 2023/24 season, as well as competing in Europe for the first time.
They reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season and are the only team to have disrupted the WSL's 'big three'. But if youth is the approach, it may take some years before there are such consistent returns year on year.
And what message does this send to the big-name players already at the club? Ella Toone is out of contract at the end of the season. Will the club's new direction meet her ambitions to win trophies?
Analysis: Olid leaves sensational Hearts legacy
Sky Sports News' Gordon Duncan:
"Eva Olid did an incredible job at Hearts, literally taking them from bottom spot in the league to champions within the space of five years. The Jambos had finished in 10th place when she arrived in 2021 but were spared relegation thanks to league reconstruction.
"The success was quick in a sense but also gradual, working up to eighth in the table the following season before back-to-back fourth-place finishes. She would also lead the team to their first cup final, which they would lose to Rangers on the day in 2024.
"During the Spaniard's time in Edinburgh, Hearts also established themselves as a team with a real attacking intent, outscoring fellow big guns Glasgow City, Celtic and Hibs all by 20 or more goals in the 25/26 league season.
"This all coincided with the club's move towards a full-time professional model, meaning shrewd signings and clever youth development were required.
"The greatest academy examples would almost certainly be twin sisters Erin and Jess Husband who both made their debuts aged 15, while Olid also brought in the likes of highly rated Scotland youth internationals Bayley Hutchison and Eilidh Shore from Aberdeen."
