Manchester City Women’s director of football Nils Nielsen is leaving the club with immediate effect.
The news, first broken by The Telegraph, comes 13 months after the 52-year-old stepped into the position, becoming the club’s first women’s director of football.
90min understands Nielsen will soon make a return to coaching. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in retaining Lauren Hemp and Khiara Keating, renewing their contracts earlier this year.
Nielsen’s departure is part of a number of changes across the club. Reports suggest coaches Shaun Goater and Alan Mahon will also be leaving, as well as goalkeeping trainer Chris Williams.
City narrowly missed out on being crowned winners of the 2023/24 Women’s Super League, being beaten by Chelsea on goal difference.
Outside of the club, Nielsen is best known for his management of the Denmark women’s national team from 2013 to 2017, where they finished as runners-up at UEFA Women’s Euro 2017. He was later recognised for his leadership in the same year by being awarded The Best FIFA Women’s Coach award.
Most recently, he was the manager of the Switzerland’s women’s team from 2018 to 2022.
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