Lionesses: Former FA masterminds reconnecting at Bay Collective

Cossington and Van Ginhoven hope to benefit from the $115bn (£87bn) available to them through the Sixth Street umbrella company.

Their goals are big but simple; Doing their best to help their club win football matches.

Cossington, who describes himself as “a kid in a candy store”, was at the top of Van Ginhoven’s list when tasked with recruiting “the best in the world”.

The former FA general manager worked with England manager Sarina Wiegman on three Euro titles; first in the Netherlands in 2017, then at the Lionesses in 2022 and 2025.

When Cossington learned that Van Ginhoven’s intention was not to extend his contract in the summer, he asked him to join him in San Francisco.

“We want to be a global organization with levels and standards that go beyond the roof,” Cossington said. “We looked for the best.

“Anja and her skillset are incredibly unique. She understands the performance side as well as the business side of a football club.

“He has a proven track record of bringing the two together. He was in the top talent pool we identified.

“It was also a cultural fit. It was an easy decision to work with someone who has the same passion, the same values, and is incredibly talented at his job.”

It was a big call for Van Ginhoven, who had worked with Wiegman at Dutch club Den Haag and internationally, to leave the FA.

But he says Bay Collective is “everything he believes in” and can’t pass up the opportunity to reunite with Cossington.

“It’s about using the uniqueness of women’s football to build clubs and make players better,” Van Ginhoven told BBC Sport.

“If you are committed, you can be a superpower as a team, club and organization that will develop women’s football in the right way.

“We come from different countries, we have different upbringings, but what brings us together is our journey in women’s football and our love for this beautiful sport.

“We think we can bring our expertise to help women’s football. We really want to develop the sport we both love so much in the right way.”