Scott Takes on Player / Coach Role At Manchester City

Manchester City Women midfielder Jill Scott has signed a new two-year deal with Manchester City, that will also see her take on a coaching role with the blues. The England midfielder, who has 149 caps for the national side, joined the blues in 2014 and has made over 160 appearances in a blue shirt in all competitions, scoring 24 goals in the process.

But the 33 year old insisted her new role as a coach will not deter form her playing role. “I’m a player first and foremost,” Scott told the club website. “I’ve been named as a player-coach. But I still want to play for this team and get success.”

Scott will work alongside new boss Gareth Taylor and assistant boss Alan Mahon, who took temporary control of first team affairs following the departure of Nick Cushing. “The coaching role is good - it means I can access the coaches a bit more. “I get to learn from the likes of Gareth and Alan and it keeps that side going as well as playing.

“Coaching might bring new aspects for me but it’s about working hard on the pitch and putting in the hours off it, trying to grow my knowledge of the game. If I can help the team in any way, hopefully, I’ll take on that role as well.”

And boss Taylor was delighted to have the midfielder as both a player and as part of the backroom team. “She is without doubt a true ambassador for the women’s game and we are extremely fortunate to have her. “She still has a lot to give out there on the pitch as a player, but alongside that, myself and our staff are really looking forward to helping her with her coaching education as much as we possibly can.”

During her time at City, Scott has helped the blues to win three Continental Cups, two FA Women’s Cups and one Women’s Super League title, and was also awarded an MBE in January’s New Year’s Honours List for services to women’s football.