How does number of female coaches in WSL compare to rest of the world?

The conversation around the representation of female coaches in women’s football has been a huge topic of discussion for a number of years.

It was brought to the forefront once again in 2023 during the World Cup in Australia, as it became clear just 12 of the 32 national teams competing at the tournament were managed by women. Such a figure underscored the glaring imbalance in coaching, even in a sport where female participation and visibility has significantly grown.

The disparities that continue to persist raise questions about the opportunities and support systems available to aspiring female coaches, so 90min have analysed five of the top leagues globally in the women’s game, and the female representation in the dugout.

In the domestic leagues, the numbers reveal a varied landscape. The Women’s Super League (WSL) in England, for instance, actually emerges as an encouraging exception. 

As things stand, 41.7% of its managerial positions are held by women (5 out of 12), although one of those is only an interim (Renee Slegers). This is particularly notable considering the recent turnover, with prominent figures like Emma Hayes and Carla Ward stepping down from their roles at Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively at the end of last season. 

Both have been outspoken advocates for the need to increase support for women in management and coaching pathways. Their departures could have easily prompted a decline in female representation, but it is positive to see the league has sustained a relatively high proportion of female coaches.

Elsewhere in Europe, the picture is far less promising. In Spain’s Liga F, only 12.5% of teams (2 out of 16) are led by women. The situation in France and Germany is even more striking, with just 8.3% (1 out of 12) of head coaches being female.

The NWSL in the United States has a slightly higher proportion at 21.4% (3 out of 14), but one of the 11 male managers is an interim (Landon Donovan), so that number could soon increase depending on San Diego Wave's permanent appointment.

The fact that the numbers in England appear to be an exception, rather than the norm, is concerning in itself as it is still below 50%, and there is still significant work that needs to be done in order to balance the scales. The WSL’s lead over its peers should not overshadow the wider reality: globally, the proportion of women in top-tier coaching roles is glaringly low.

Achieving equity in coaching is not simply about numbers – it involves creating an environment where women are encouraged, supported, and equipped to succeed at every level of the game. That is something Hayes, now head coach of the USWNT, has long been one of the most vocal advocates for.

“I think what happens is, when a woman coaches at the highest level, and they’re let go, I don’t think we get as many chances as male coaches, for whatever reason,” she told the PA News Agency in September.

“So if there is a dropout, it’s probably because those opportunities aren’t happening, and also it’s a really tough job to do. You might not get paid a lot of money, you might have childcare to manage, there’s a lot more that goes into it, being a woman, that’s never actually factored in.”

Ward, who stepped away from her role at Aston Villa earlier this year to prioritise her daughter and family life, said in an interview with The Guardian: “Being in the game myself, I know there’s plenty of females out there that are good enough, but it’s that opportunity. I think people need to maybe open the door.

“I’m very big on the right person for the right job, but visibility is key. And how do we get that visibility? I’m not sure. But certainly, at the minute, I think there are a lot of missed opportunities with how clubs are maybe recruiting.”

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