women coaches

Ione Gildroy

Players such as Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo, and Lauren James are becoming household names as the popularity of women’s football continues to grow. But out of the 32 teams competing in the Women’s World Cup this year, just 12 were coached by women.

The situation is far worse in the world of men’s football – only one professional men’s team in the UK has been coached by a woman. Hannah Dingley was appointed caretaker coach in July this year. To understand this more, there’s a collection of factors that we can delve into. 

The history of female coaches

Before Dingley, the highest-ranking female manager in men’s football for England was Rosi Webb. At present, Webb coaches Stanway Pegasus FC, a club which sits five levels below the National League.

Speaking to Sky Sports of her experience as a female coach, Webb said: “No other female has really stepped foot in this kind of environment and I wanted to be the first.”

“on one occasion someone told me to get back in the kitchen”

She admits: “I think at first I probably doubted myself – was I good enough to step into that environment? Most of the teams I go to, and those teams that come here, are very welcoming to me. You do get a few small-minded people, you get it everywhere in society, it’s not just football.

“I did get some abuse last season, on one occasion someone told me to get back in the kitchen, but to be fair to the club involved, they dealt with it straight away and that player didn’t play again.”

While Webb explains she hasn’t experienced many sexist comments like those, these ideas remain widespread. 

Research on the development of coaching

Jyoti Gosai, a sports psychology PhD student and researcher, has suggested that there are a range of factors which affect the recruitment, progression, and retention of female coaches in the UK. These factors include the gendered stereotypes still upheld by many in society.

If female coaches behave in accordance with these gender stereotypes, for example, if they are nurturing and patient, then they may be viewed as being less competent. But if they are more assertive and dominant, they are considered unfeminine and may be subject to sexist comments from players or fans. 

There are issues of power and control in men’s football, which have been highlighted in numerous studies from the last decade. There is a culture of dominance and control in many clubs, with coaches and managers expecting complete compliance from players.

“it is rare for women coaches to be perceived as both good and likeable at once”

A 2006 study conducted by Christopher Cushion and Robyn L. Jones looks into violence and power in professional youth football. The finding show how coaches often use aggressive language, humiliation, and bullying to instil fear and control in players.

Another study by researchers from Loughborough College and Abertay University in 2018 looked into the influence of gender on perception of coaches. This research shows that the approach of women coaches tends to differ from the aggressive approach that the 2008 study found to dominate the football landscape. This could be part of why so many fans perceive women as being unsuitable coaches.

Another factor identified by Gosai is that it is rare for women coaches to be perceived as both good and likeable at once. Their concern is that if women act in a similar way to their male counterparts, they will immediately be deemed difficult or unpleasant.

The importance of education

Education plays a key role in promoting and empowering women coaches. FIFA, UEFA, and other football governing bodies have initiatives which aim to inspire women to take up coaching roles. These organisations aim to provide women with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. 

It is also important for women to have visible role models and mentors, such as the 12 coaches who participated in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. In the UK, there is a scheme run by the FA called the Women’s Leadership Programme, which is designed to identify and empower female coaches and leaders. 

“It is likely that there will be more women coaches in coming years”

While education and mentorship are invaluable ways to encourage more women to become coaches, studies have shown that sponsorship also plays an important role. UEFA run a coach development programme which offers women coaches scholarships of up to 90 per cent of course fees and to a value of €12,000 for UEFA diploma courses.

It is likely that there will be more women coaches in coming years as elite female players retire from their playing careers, providing a visible pathway to other women and girls. In fact, about 89 per cent of female coaches have had a professional playing career. Seeing women in every area of football – playing, coaching, and officiating – is one of the best ways to encourage women to get involved.

Role models for women

Coaches such as England’s Sarina Wiegman and Chelsea Women’s Emma Hayes are changing deeply entrenched mindsets and showing society that women can be just as successful at coaching as men can be.

Women must be given the same opportunities in football as men. However, it is also important that coaching men’s football isn’t viewed as a step up from coaching women’s football. Despite her leading position, Hayes was linked with a vacant job at struggling men’s team AFC Wimbledon.

Hayes described the rumours as an “insult” to the women’s game, saying: “I don’t know why anyone would think women’s football is a step down. The football world needs to wake up. While the game is played by a different gender, it’s exactly the same sport.”

What needs to be done?

While more can, and should, be done to empower women coaches in the world of men’s football, it is a complex issue with no clear-cut answer or solution. But more women coaches may be the thing that football needs to help bring it fully into the 21st century and inspire a generation of girls and young women.

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Featured image courtesy of James Holloway on Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

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