Everton head into the new Women's Super League campaign with renewed optimism following the appointment of Scott Phelan as permanent manager, though expectations remain measured given the club's modest financial standing compared to the league's elite.
The Merseyside outfit finished eighth in the WSL last season, and matching that result would be viewed as a successful campaign for a squad operating with a wage bill reportedly five times smaller than Chelsea's. Guardian writers have pegged Everton for a 10th-place finish this term, reflecting the tight margins the club must navigate against better-resourced rivals.
Phelan, a 38-year-old former Everton youth midfielder, was confirmed as head coach in June after four months in an interim capacity, having taken charge following the dismissal of Brian Sørensen. Prior to stepping into first-team duties, Phelan worked within Everton's boys' academy setup, and this appointment marks his first senior managerial role. He has described feeling