FIONA McIntyre, managing director of the SWPL, has praised the progress of female coaches within the women’s top-flight with the top three teams in the league managed by women.
Leanne Ross took Glasgow City to the title in the most dramatic of circumstances last season, a move that was the catalyst for a managerial reshuffle at Rangers with former England internationalist Jo Potter arriving in Glasgow.
Fran Alonso’s departure at the end of the year for Houston meant an arrival for Swedish coach Elena Sadiku.
The figures buck the trend of what is seen elsewhere. At the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer there were just 12 female managers from 32 coaches. By the time the competition had reached the quarter-final stage Sarina Wiegman was the only one left.
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“Traditionally a male domain, it is encouraging to see the top three clubs in the SWPL all with female managers at present,” said McIntyre.
“That’s not to discredit the contribution of some fantastic male coaches and allies within the SWPL but is a signal of progress and illustrates that the pathway and coach education system is there for ambitious and talented female coaches who want to work at the very top of the game.
And the former head of girls’ and women’s football at the SFA has applauded the strides that the women’s game has taken across the last decade in Scotland.
Inarguably there remains work to be done but even at the start of this decade it would have been impossible to imagine professional contracts at any level in the women’s game in Scotland.
“International women’s day always presents a natural point of reflection for the SWPL and women’s football in Scotland,” she said.
“It is incredible to see the progress made in recent years, with more professional players than ever playing in the SWPL. The opportunity for women to make a living out of football is so important if we are to continue to advance and inspire the next generation to continue to pursue that progress.
“It is not just about players though, I personally have been fortunate and continue to live the dream with a full time role working in women’s football.
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