Nils Nielsen has been named as Manchester City’s first Director of Football for the Club’s women’s team.
He was manager of the Switzerland national women’s team from 2018 until the end of the Women’s Euros last year and has an impressive resume including stints with Denmark’s U18s and the senior women’s side in 2013.
Neilsen took them to the final of the 2017 European Championships where they were beaten in a six-goal-thriller by Sarina Wiegman’s Netherlands team.
There followed spells with China’s U18 and U20 side before he took up the Swiss job in 2018.
He will be supported by former City and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, who will assist and work alongside Nielsen in his new role once she has completed the development programme that she is currently undertaking with the Club.
Nielsen will take the lead on player recruitment across the women’s and girls’ pathway at the Academy Stadium and will also take charge of coach and player development across the women’s first team set-up.
There will also be a reorganisation on the women’s side – Head Coach Gareth Taylor and Girls’ Academy Technical Director Jayne Ludlow will work directly under the Dane.
Nielsen was report into Managing Director Gavin Makel who will continue to head up overall business operations for Manchester City Women.
Speaking after the news of his move was confirmed, Nielsen said: “I am very happy to be here at Manchester City.
“Moving away from coaching and into a directorial role, it is ultimately about making a difference and working closely with people across the whole set-up.
“I’ve always been incredibly passionate about the development side of the game – that has driven me throughout my career.
“Manchester City want to be pioneering, and that makes this the perfect club for me to be at.
“You don’t get it much better than here – you have everything you need to be the best you can be, and I know there are exciting plans to come.
“This is a Club that will continue to grow, and that makes me very excited for what lies ahead in the future.”