London City Lionesses: What led to Jocelyn Precheur sacking and what’s next for club?
While Precheur’s influence was significant in the club’s infancy, there is a sense that London City are moving towards a Spanish football identity.
Barcelona has dominated club football in Europe, reaching the Champions League final in six of the last seven seasons and winning the title three times.
The Spanish national team is currently world champion and European runner-up.
So it’s no big surprise when former Barcelona head coach Jonatan Giraldez joins Kang’s Washington Spirit in 2024 before moving to Lyon this year.
Spanish football has a clear identity and way of playing; football based on possession of the ball, with high technical skill. It is believed that London City want to achieve this alongside the traditional physicality of English football.
The club had a short list of coaches to replace Precheur and kept some of them out of the men’s game but ultimately appear to have chosen Maestre, who has shown his potential at Spanish clubs CD Tenerife and Real Sociedad.
The main criteria for London City’s next appointment are believed to focus on style of play, the coach’s ability to collaborate with a wider specialist team and a background of developing players and talented youngsters.
Once the appointment is confirmed, Maestre is expected to play a role in the club’s recruitment in January.
London City spent big in the summer, signing star players such as France international Grace Geyoro and former Lyon midfielder Danielle van de Donk.
It is believed that the transfer policy this time is to target future stars who can adapt to London City’s new-look training program and coaching style.
They want to compete for silverware and compete with the Champions League’s elite in the near future, so they are shopping for future European champions.
Maestre’s imminent arrival will likely be matched by the appointment of other staff, including analysts and medical experts.
What’s clear is that London City aren’t here to make friends, they’re here to rock the boat and are planning big things for the future.
We will wait and see whether it will be beneficial or not.
