Manchester United Women have appointed Eva Olid as their new head coach, handing the Spaniard a two-year deal running through 2028 with an option to extend for an additional year. The move comes just days after Marc Skinner's unexpected exit from the role was confirmed on Monday.
Olid, 40, had been without a club since departing Hearts by mutual consent following a five-year tenure in Edinburgh, during which she led the club to their maiden Scottish Women's Premier League championship last season. Her time at Hearts was marked by consistent progress, and that record appears to have caught United's attention as the club looks to reshape its women's setup.
The timing of her arrival is notable, as United are reportedly steering toward a strategy centered on nurturing homegrown talent rather than relying on costly transfer signings. In announcing the appointment, the club described it as the beginning of a fresh chapter built around sustainable growth. "Olid's appointment marks the start of an exciting new era for Manchester United Women as the club embarks on a clear vision for long-term, sustainable growth and success," the club said in a statement, adding that groundwork has already been laid to support both academy prospects and established senior internationals, alongside considerable investment in youth infrastructure aimed at creating one of the country's premier development pathways.
Speaking after her unveiling, Olid expressed enthusiasm about taking charge at Old Trafford. "The opportunity to become head coach of Manchester United Women is a dream come true," she told the club's official website. "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."
She went on to highlight the quality already present within the squad. "There is already so much talent within our squad and I am excited to work with the players to support them to fulfil their immense potential," Olid said. "I am joining Manchester United at a really exciting time. There is a clear alignment in our shared vision for long-term success. I cannot wait to begin preparing a team that will make our incredible supporters proud."
United endured a mixed campaign last season, finishing fourth in the Women's Super League while also advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals and reaching the League Cup final, results that suggest a squad with potential but in need of a fresh strategic direction.
Matt Johnson, the club's director of women's football, praised Olid's coaching pedigree and her fit within United's broader philosophy. "Eva is an outstanding coach with an incredible determination to succeed," Johnson said. "Her remarkable achievements at Heart of Midlothian showcased her ability to maximise the potential of individual players, whilst also implementing an exciting style of football."
Johnson added that Olid's priorities align closely with the club's long-term objectives. "Eva is the perfect coach to lead us into an exciting new era," he said. "She shares our commitment to developing exciting homegrown and young players, a tradition deeply embedded in our club's history and culture, as well as improving established senior internationals, both of which form an integral part of our vision for long-term, sustainable success."
Olid now faces the task of blending United's promising young talent with experienced internationals as she looks to build on last season's cup runs and push the club toward silverware in the coming campaigns.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.