Keira Walsh Praises Nick Cushing’s Impact Ahead of Arsenal Showdown

Manchester City midfielder Keira Walsh has praised outgoing manager Nick Cushing for his impact on her career. The 35-year-old will oversee his last game as Man City women’s manager on Sunday before departing for New York City FC.

Speaking recently about Cushing, Walsh said he has helped her to rediscover her love for football. This comes on the back of severe criticism directed at her via social media after last summer’s World Cup in France.

She recently revealed that the criticism got to her causing her, to have a rethink on her career. It was so bad she considered changing careers having lost her passion for football. But the 22-year-old heaped praise on her manager for being the one whose positive influence helped her fall in love with the beautiful game once again.

“I’ve had many conversations with Nick and he’s definitely helped me to fall back in love with football,” said Walsh.

“He takes the seriousness away and that was something important for me – I just needed to get back to loving it and having fun.

“He makes sure all the girls do that and ultimately, I’m still here, playing for my childhood club and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m enjoying my football and hopefully, everyone can see that in my performances and the way the team has been playing as well.”

The 22-year-old has become one of City’s most important players and a key member of Cushing’s squad. A lifelong City fan, Walsh is relishing the chance to achieve success playing for her beloved club. She expressed the players’ desire to get a positive result against Arsenal in Cushing’s last game in charge.

“We want to play well for him and send him off with a positive message,” she concluded.

After losing 2-1 to the Gunners in the Continental Cup thereby failing to defend a trophy they won last term, the players will want to make it up to their manager by beating Joe Montemurro‘s team at home on February 2nd. It’s a must-win match that could have significant bearing on the destination of the WSL title this time around.