Why Manchester United appointed Eva Olid
Olid could be the perfect match for a United side prioritising youth over experience.
A new era begins. Manchester United have appointed Eva Olid as their new head coach just days after Marc Skinner’s departure earlier this week.
Olid, who won the Scottish Women’s Premier League last season with Hearts, has signed a two-year deal with the option of a further year.
The decision to appoint Olid was taken quickly as United have just four weeks until they begin their WSL campaign against London City Lionesses on 4 September. But the club were also keen to find someone that would fit their new strategic direction.
As reported by The Cutback, Skinner’s exit emerged following a meeting between United hierarchy and the squad whereby players were informed of the financial constraints facing the club this season. As a result, it was communicated that United would be focusing on recruiting younger players and youth development.
The news was met with concern from many in the United players group, with multiple sources telling The Cutback that senior players within the squad have raised concerns about the direction of the club since returning for pre-season, questioning the lack of transfer activity and investment into the overall squad.
Sources close to the club informed The Cutback that there is concern around the current level of transfer spending across the WSL and believe it is not sustainable. A shift towards developing youth and home-grown success was coupled with a desire for an exciting style of football.
Olid met the squad for the first time on Wednesday morning. The Cutback understands the meeting was short but a very positive one, with many leaving the meeting keen to get started. Rebuilding the confidence and belief in the squad will likely be the first big job for Olid, with the WSL season starting in just four weeks. She will take her first training session on Thursday.
What can United fans expect? - Analysis from Matt Dallinson, The Cutback’s Scottish football writer
Olid arrives off the back of huge success with Hearts. The 40-year-old announced she was ending her time in Edinburgh in the throes of a title race that saw her side climb from fourth at the time of the split to winning it all on the final day. It was the first trophy the club have ever won, only five years after the club finished with just eight points in a league season.
Olid is from Sabadell, the same town as WSL newcomer and two-time Ballon D’or winner Alexia Putellas. Her footballing philosophy was formed early on as part of Saint Cugat’s boys’ academy, focusing on technical ability before tactics — something that shone through in her Hearts team.
She is not a manager that rigidly sticks to one style of football, though she predominantly used a back-three at Hearts with the keeper providing an additional option during build-up play. She adapted and blended Scottish and Spanish styles into a beautiful amalgamation of the two: tiki taka and playing out from the back, but with physical presence and directness. In her own words, Olid used “long balls with intentionality”.
While she has a background in youth development from Saint Cugat, Sabadell, and Houston Dynamo, at Hearts she primarily worked with players who had plenty of senior experience before joining the club.
Like most SWPL sides, Hearts had a young squad, but one that was no stranger to the professional game. Most of last season’s league-winning side had made around 100 senior appearances before linking up with Olid, who shone at getting the most out of them.
In particular, she worked magic with players like Georgia Timms, who joined from Lewes and struggled early in her Hearts career. By the end of last season, Timms had become a key player whose strengths were accentuated by the system and, with weaknesses ironed out.
Manchester United fans should expect a tactically-astute manager capable of adapting to her situation, but always striving to take charge of games.
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