Man City boldly give Gareth Taylor long-term contract after WSL rise

Manchester City have given Gareth Taylor his second new deal in 12 months after he impressed his new bosses with the women's team.

Taylor penned an extra year on his deal last summer despite the club's failure to win the Women's Super League since 2016, and has recovered from a rocky start to this campaign with a 12-match winning streak in all competitions that sees them joint-top of the league and in contention to win a domestic treble. Thursday's League Cup semi-final at home to Chelsea will test their ambitions of winning multiple trophies, although the Blues are flying after ending Chelsea's three-year unbeaten run at home just days after beating Arsenal away.

Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes is leaving at the end of the season to lead the US Women's National Team, but City Women's managing director Charlotte O'Neill and director of football Nils Nielsen have seen enough to hand Taylor a deal until 2025. O'Neill and Nielsen have teamed up this season to oversee one of the most promising campaigns to date under Taylor with the team streaking clear of rivals Arsenal and United to challenge Chelsea for the top prizes.

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While the pair will hope that Taylor's deal gives City an instant boost in their hopes of silverware this season, giving such a long deal sends a message about the club's intent moving forward. “We’re very pleased to have Gareth continue his journey with City for another three years," said O'Neill.

“Gareth is someone who has embraced the City Football Group approach from day one and shares our ambition to push the envelope in the women’s game and build a squad