Manchester United: Eva Olid appointed women's manager on two-year deal

Manchester United have confirmed Eva Olid as their new women's manager on a two-year deal with an option for a further 12 months.

The former Hearts boss replaces Marc Skinner, who left the role by mutual consent on Monday - a month before the start of the Women's Super League (WSL) season.

Having led Hearts to their first Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) club last campaign, Spaniard Olid, 40, opted to leave Edinburgh in the summer when her contract expired.

As well as clinching their first silverware, Olid also took Hearts to their first domestic final, but lost to Rangers in the 2024 Scottish Cup.

"The opportunity to become head coach of Manchester United Women is a dream come true," Olid said.

"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."

Sources at Manchester United had said one of the key requirements for Skinner's replacement was a coach with a history of developing players.

It is four weeks on Friday until United begin their WSL season at London City Lionesses on 4 September.

Having arrived in Edinburgh as a virtual unknown, Olid transformed Hearts during her five years in charge.

Hearts have never been one of the main players in Scotland. When Olid left in May, they were top of the pile.

She did that thanks to a full-frontal attacking approach, based usually around a 3-4-3 formation, with her goalkeeper expected to play a key part as a fourth defender.

Hearts were top scorers in the SWPL last season with 85 goals - only Rangers with 80 were within 20 of them - so United's frontline of Ella Toone, Lea Schuller and Elisabeth Terland can hope for plenty of chances next season.

She also developed a plan B. Having failed to beat Glasgow City across her first four seasons, Olid purposefully went defensive in April's meeting and secured a 1-0 win to go top of the table.

That was the game where she announced her intention to leave, saying she could not have gone without tasting victory against them at least once.

Former Hearts captain Georgia Hunter swapped Edinburgh for Ipswich this summer and was glowing about her old boss.

"She's a great manager, very, very good," she told BBC Sport. "I learnt so much. The transition with all the players and [where] she took the club to is absolutely amazing."

Olid has a track record of developing young players too, including the Husband twins Erin and Jess, who both made their debuts under her aged 15, and United have suggested this will be important in her new role.

"Eva is the perfect coach to lead us into an exciting new era - she shares our commitment to developing exciting homegrown and young players," said United's director of women's football Matt Johnson.

Given Olid has also spent time working with the Scotland women's national team, BBC Sport Scotland's Amy Canavan was not surprised to see her secure a high profile job.

"We were convinced she had somewhere special to go," Canavan said. "She 100% deserves this chance and is ready for it."

One of the most intriguing things about this appointment is that we know very little about Olid given she is untested in the WSL and in Europe.

The Spaniard was popular at Hearts and enjoyed success in the Scottish Premier League, though it is a step up to the weekly pressures of the WSL.

United's direction has been clearly laid out - they want a coach who specialises in youth development and who can improve individual players on a weekly basis.

They believe Olid meets that criteria and will hope she brings a new style of football, no doubt influenced by her Spanish roots.

Her appointment was swift following Skinner's exit, with the club already well advanced in their recruitment process and Olid's contract signed within 24 hours.

Skinner's departure also raised further questions about United's ambition for its women's team, so scrutiny on Olid will be immediate.

She will have to deal with that pressure and expectation - part of which comes naturally as United manager - but also to appease a frustrated fanbase who have demanded more in recent years.

Her first job will be to galvanise a depleted squad this summer, embed youthful talent and prepare for the season opener at London City Lionesses, which will be a good marker of where United are at.

Click here to read article