It's ‘Inevitable’ A Woman Will Manage A Professional Club In Men's Football

A female managing in the top tiers of men's professional football is "inevitable", says Andy Townsend.

Back in February, it was reported that League One side AFC Wimbledon were considering a move to appoint Emma Hayes as their new first-team manager.

Hayes, who is currently in charge of FA Women's Super League side Chelsea, would have become the first woman in history to take charge of a men's football league side if she did get the job but Mark Robinson was named head coach shortly after reports emerged.

Image: PA

The 44-year-old was put on a shortlist that included former Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, ex-England defender Sol Campbell and recently sacked Fleetwood boss Joey Barton after the club decided to sack manager Glyn Hodges following their 2-0 defeat to MK Dons.

Hayes managed her team to the Women's Champions League semi final this season. Image: PA Images

It was a huge moment for women's football in general and Andy Townsend believes it won't be long until a woman will take charge of a professional club in men's football.

"There is much more awareness now about women's sport, the quality of women's sport and women participating in the men's game." he told talkSPORT.

"It's been a while now since we first saw female officials involved.

"I don't think it's going to be that long before we see a woman running a professional team. I don't know what league, I wouldn't be able to say Premier League, League One, League Two.

"But I don't think it'll be that long before we are seeing women, not only involved, but women competing and being very competitive in that respect. It's inevitable."

Image: PA

Back in 2019, Chelsea boss Hayes said that she was certain a woman would eventually manage in the men's game.

"It's going to happen and it's important I say that." she said.

"Managing people has no gender bias but unfortunately football is still stuck in the Victorian era where it thinks the only way to get the most out of professional athletes is with traditional management techniques.

"It will take a brave owner to take that decision but all it takes is one successful situation for it to happen again and again.

"The chances of going to manage in the Premier League as a woman are low but going in and managing at a level below, or as an assistant, makes sense.

"There is going to be pressure on that person. You'll have to put up with a fair amount of abuse. So it had better be worth it."

Topics: Football, Women's Football

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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