Matt Beard has been named as Bristol City Women’s manager on a temporary basis, as Tanya Oxtoby takes maternity leave.
This appointment marks Beard’s return to football management after being sacked by West Ham Women in late November.
Speaking on his temporary appointment until end of season, Beard is “looking forward to the challenge”, saying; “I want to come in and make an impact straight away with the players, the staff and hopefully that impact can turn into results.
“I’ve got a great relationship with Tanya. She’s done a good job over the years here and it’s exciting for her to have her first baby.
“It gives me an opportunity for me to come in to hopefully turn things around in the league. I’m sure we’ll keep in contact over the course of the season.”
There will be a transition period of management between Oxtoby and Beard although Beard will take charge on matchdays with immediate effect.
Oxtoby spoke of the early transition as a decision that “makes sense” and knowing Beard well with full support going forwards, she confirmed that the playing squad was at the forefront of her mind throughout the maternity cover recruitment process and the transition is “seamless as possible.”
Bristol City Women are currently bottom of the Women’s Super League and four points behind Aston Villa who sit 11th in the standings, with Oxtoby wanting the club to avoid relegation whilst providing “… support, however I can, to make that happen.”
Chairman of Bristol City Women Board, Mark Ashton “wishes” Oxtoby well ahead of her maternity leave and praised her focus and determination to continue driving the team forward despite even contracting Coronavirus in November.
Ashton however is positive in the decision to launch a swift transition process between Oxtoby and Beard, saying; “Allowing her to take a step back now will allow a significant handover period for Matt and we are delighted to have secured his services for the rest of the season during Tanya’s maternity leave.”
Bristol City’s next WSL match sees them visit Everton on Sunday 17 January 2021 in a 1pm (GMT) kick-off.