Marc Skinner leaves Manchester United Women head coach role amid transfer frustration

Marc Skinner has left his role as Manchester United’s head coach by mutual consent after five years, partly because of the club’s transfer strategy. The 43-year-old is understood to have initiated the discussions that led to his departure, having felt it was the right time to leave the club. United are focusing on developing young players, rather than enter into bidding wars with some of the Women’s Super League’s bigger spenders.

The former Birmingham and Orlando head coach led Manchester United to three consecutive Women’s FA Cup finals between 2023 and 2025, winning one – and the club’s first major women’s trophy – in 2024 at Wembley with a 4-0 victory over . His side also reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League in 2025-26, as well as the League Cup final.

Skinner has repeatedly called for greater investment in the team in the transfer market and a change in strategy from the club this summerhas led to his exit.

Skinner oversaw a second-placed finish in the 2022-23 campaign, the club’s highest league position, after a fourth-placed finish in his first season in charge, in 2021-22. United then finished fifth, third and fourth respectively in his final three years in charge.

Sources have indicated the women’s team has a new direction this summer, focused on building a team sustainably with homegrown players, which the club are understood to feel fits their identity of developing youth. Investments are being made into United’s academy.

But other sources have said Skinner was increasingly frustrated at seeing WSL sides outspend United. The sale of French striker Melvine Malard to Chelsea, for a club-record fee in the region of £850,000, has caused concern about the club’s ambition for the upcoming season.

Melvine Malard (left) left Manchester United in a club-record sale to Chelsea. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters

It comes while London City Lionesses – United’s opponents on the season’s opening day on 4 September – have spent significantly on Spain’s Alexia Putellas and Mapi León, as well as France winger Kadidiatou Diani.

Sources close to the club have indicated they feel such spending is not sustainable in the women’s game. Ultimately, discussions around these matters have concluded with the club and Skinner parting ways before a new campaign when the team can make a fresh start.

Since it became clear Skinner would be leaving, the club have a shortlist of candidates and they are expected to name his replacement relatively quickly.

“Marc leaves having made a significant contribution to the continued progress of Manchester United Women,” United said. “The club places on record its sincere thanks for his professionalism, commitment and dedication throughout his time at United, and wishes him every success in the future.”