Olid’s Appointment and Club Vision
Manchester United Women have announced the appointment of Eva Olid as their new head coach. Olid joins the club following the departure of Marc Skinner, who left after five years in charge. Her arrival marks a new direction for the team, with a focus on developing young, homegrown talent rather than significant spending on transfers.
Olid has signed a two-year contract, which includes an option for an additional year, extending her potential tenure until 2028. This appointment aligns with the club’s stated vision for long-term, sustainable growth and success, emphasizing the development of both homegrown players and senior internationals. The club has also made significant investments in its academy infrastructure and facilities to support this ambition.
Speaking about her new role, Olid described the opportunity as a “dream come true.” She highlighted the club’s infrastructure, including its training facility and academy, which she believes is already producing players capable of performing at a competitive level. Olid also noted the existing talent within the squad and expressed her eagerness to work with the players to help them achieve their potential. She stated that she is joining Manchester United at an exciting time, with a clear alignment in the shared vision for long-term success.
Matt Johnson, United’s director of women’s football, praised Olid as an “outstanding coach” with a strong determination to succeed. He pointed to her achievements at Heart of Midlothian as evidence of her ability to maximize individual player potential and implement an exciting style of football. Johnson reiterated that Olid is the ideal coach to lead the club into this new era, sharing their commitment to developing young players, a tradition deeply embedded in the club’s history.
Olid’s Previous Success at Hearts
Before joining Manchester United, Eva Olid had a successful five-year spell at Hearts, where she led the team to their first Scottish Women’s Premier League title. Her departure from the Edinburgh club was by mutual agreement after the conclusion of last season. Her time at Hearts saw a significant period of progress for the club.
When Olid arrived at Hearts in 2021, the team was at the bottom of the league, finishing in 10th place. They avoided relegation due to league reconstruction. Under her guidance, the team showed quick and gradual improvement, moving up to eighth in the table the following season, followed by consecutive fourth-place finishes. She also led Hearts to their first Scottish Cup final in 2024, where they were defeated by Rangers.
In her final season, Hearts finished two points ahead of Rangers in the SWPL, securing the league title. During her tenure, Hearts also developed a reputation for attacking football, outscoring other prominent clubs like Glasgow City, Celtic, and Hibs by 20 or more goals in the 2025/26 league season. This period coincided with the club’s transition to a full-time professional model, which necessitated shrewd signings and effective youth development.
Notable examples of youth development under Olid include twin sisters Erin and Jess Husband, who both made their debuts at the age of 15. She also brought in highly-rated Scotland youth internationals such as Bayley Hutchison and Eilidh Shore from Aberdeen.
New Strategic Direction for Manchester United Women
The change in leadership at Manchester United Women comes with a shift in the team’s overall strategy. The club is now focusing on its academy and developing players from within to compete for silverware, moving away from a previous emphasis on high investment in the transfer market. This approach is seen as a path to longer-term success.
The club has expressed concerns about the increasing costs associated with being a contender for the WSL title and believes there has been a lack of return on investment from star players and high wages. This new direction aims to build a sustainable model, although it acknowledges that achieving consistent returns through youth development may take time. The men’s academy at Manchester United has a history of winning trophies with academy products, but this strategy is relatively untested in the women’s game.
Under the previous coach, Marc Skinner, Manchester United reached four finals—three in the FA Cup and one in the League Cup. They secured their first major trophy in the 2023/24 season and also competed in Europe for the first time, reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season. The team finished fourth in the Women’s Super League last season. The club’s new focus on internal development will now guide its future trajectory.
Manchester United Women are scheduled to face London City Lionesses in their WSL opener on September 4.
Source: skysports.com