Digest

This episode of Guardian Football Weekly is a special dedicated to women's football, covering a range of topics from the Canadian drone scandal to the WSL title race and the demise of Reading FC Women. The episode begins by discussing the suspension of Canadian coach Beverly Preman for using a drone to spy on New Zealand's training session during the Tokyo Olympics. The panel debates the severity of the punishment and whether spying is a widespread issue in women's football. The episode then moves on to discuss Emma Hayes's early success as the USWNT head coach, highlighting the team's improved performance and style of play under her leadership. The panel also covers other notable stories from the Olympics, including Australia's disappointing performance and the departure of their manager, Tony Gustavsson, and Marta's potential retirement from international football. The discussion then shifts to the WSL title race, with Man City emerging as the frontrunner due to their strong recruitment and depth. Concerns are raised about City's squad depth and Arsenal's chaotic start. The panel also discusses Jim Ratcliffe's apparent lack of interest in Manchester United's women's team, highlighting his prioritization of the men's team and the club's perceived lack of investment in the women's side. The episode concludes with a discussion about the demise of Reading FC Women, which has been relegated to the fifth tier of the pyramid due to financial uncertainty and a lack of funding from the men's side. The panel explores potential solutions to the issue of women's teams being cut when men's clubs face financial difficulties, including writing it into club contracts, incentivizing investment in women's football through financial fair play regulations, and creating a more formalized process for regulating women's football.

Outlines

00:00:40

Women's Football Special

This episode of Guardian Football Weekly is a special dedicated to women's football, covering the Canadian drone scandal, Emma Hayes's USWNT coaching, the WSL, and the demise of Reading.

00:02:28

Canadian Drone Scandal and Emma Hayes's USWNT Coaching

The episode discusses the suspension of Canadian coach Beverly Preman for using a drone to spy on New Zealand's training session. The panel debates the severity of the punishment and whether spying is a widespread issue in women's football. The panel also discusses Emma Hayes's early success as the USWNT head coach, highlighting the team's improved performance and style of play under her leadership.

00:16:31

Other Olympic Stories and WSL Title Contenders

The episode covers other notable stories from the Olympics, including Australia's disappointing performance and the departure of their manager, Tony Gustavsson, and Marta's potential retirement from international football. The panel discusses the WSL title race, with Man City emerging as the frontrunner due to their strong recruitment and depth. Concerns are raised about City's squad depth and Arsenal's chaotic start.

00:25:24

Manchester United's Women's Team and The Demise of Reading

The panel discusses Jim Ratcliffe's apparent lack of interest in Manchester United's women's team, highlighting his prioritization of the men's team and the club's perceived lack of investment in the women's side. The episode discusses the demise of Reading's women's team, which has been relegated to the fifth tier of the pyramid due to financial uncertainty and a lack of funding from the men's side.

00:47:16

Listener Email and Potential Solutions

The episode concludes with a listener email about a central midfielder who has suddenly developed a passion for heading the ball. Barry Glen Denning offers advice on how to win every headed contest. The panel explores potential solutions to the issue of women's teams being cut when men's clubs face financial difficulties, including writing it into club contracts, incentivizing investment in women's football through financial fair play regulations, and creating a more formalized process for regulating women's football.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the punishment for Beverly Preman's use of a drone to spy on New Zealand's training session?

  Preman was suspended as head coach and Canada Soccer was deducted six points.

• How has Emma Hayes's coaching impacted the USWNT's performance?

  The USWNT has shown significant improvement in their style of play and fluidity under Hayes's leadership.

• What are the main concerns about Manchester United's women's team under Jim Ratcliffe's ownership?

  Ratcliffe's prioritization of the men's team and the club's perceived lack of investment in the women's side have raised concerns about the future of the team.

• What happened to Reading FC Women?

  Reading FC Women were relegated to the fifth tier of the pyramid due to financial uncertainty and a lack of funding from the men's side.

• What are some potential solutions to the issue of women's teams being cut when men's clubs face financial difficulties?

  Some potential solutions include writing it into club contracts, incentivizing investment in women's football through financial fair play regulations, and creating a more formalized process for regulating women's football.

Show Notes