Gareth Taylor was in charge of one of the WSL’s top sides, managing Manchester City from 2020 through 2025.
There have been moments in recent seasons where it has appeared, however fleetingly, Liverpool had begun to take its women’s team seriously as the team climbed back into the FA Women’s Super League and finished fourth in the 2023-24 season.
Any time there seems to be a step forward, though, there has inevitably been a pair of steps taken in the wrong direction to counter it. So it maybe shouldn’t be surprising that fourth-place finish was followed up by a disappointing season, a threadbare squad slipping down the standings, and a parting of ways with manager Matt Beard.
Replaced by Amber Whiteley on an interim basis, Liverpool Women showed signs of life following Beard’s departure, but the club never seemed to signal that they saw Whiteley as the long-term answer.
Now, perhaps, we know who that long-term answer is, with the BBC reporting that ex-Manchester City Women manager Gareth Taylor is the top choice and that the club are working to secure the 52-year-old widely seen as one of the WSL’s top managers during his five seasons in charge at City.
Success on the pitch, though, was countered by claims by former players that Taylor could be difficult to play for, and when he lost the league to Chelsea on goal difference in 2023-24 it led to a slow unravelling of his relationship with the club and a departure this past March.
With backing, though, Taylor has proven he can get results in the WSL, and one might reasonably assume his joining Liverpool Women would reflect an intention to provide the necessary backing and invest in the squad.
Alternately, of course, history would suggest it wouldn’t be a shock for Liverpool to source a manager with a strong track record in the WSL, decide that’s the job done, and then fail to invest in the squad. One step forward, two steps back. Assuming Taylor is a step forward in the first place.