Nick Cushing, the ex-Manchester City women's manager, is on the shortlist to become the next Arsenal women's head coach.
Cushing has been managing the New York City FC men's team since 2022, after joining the MLS side as an assistant coach in 2020. At 39, he has quickly emerged as a top candidate for Arsenal, following Jonas Eidevall's resignation last week.
Under Cushing's leadership, Manchester City won the Women's Super League title in 2016. He is one of only three coaches in the past decade to have managed a WSL title-winning side, alongside former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes and ex-Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro.
Arsenal's interest in Cushing, initially reported by The Athletic, coincides with New York City's playoff run in the MLS. They face Cincinnati on October 28 and hope to remain in the playoffs until early December. Cushing is contracted with New York City until the end of the 2025 MLS season.
However, Cushing is not Arsenal's sole candidate. The club is in no hurry to make a decision, confident in interim head coach Renée Slegers, who has secured two wins in two games so far.
Arsenal's sporting director, Edu, and director of women's football, Clare Wheatley, are spearheading the search for the next head coach. They had a clear vision of the desired coach profile before Eidevall's departure.
When asked if she would apply for the permanent role, Slegers, a former Arsenal youth player, stated, “That is not on my mind.” She added, “I am appointed as interim coach, and that is where my focus is now. The future, I have no idea.”
Arsenal's next WSL match is on November 3, away to Manchester United.
Cushing's achievements at Manchester City include the 2016 WSL title, an unbeaten, “invincible” campaign, and the Women's FA Cup in 2017, along with two League Cups in 2014 and 2016.
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