Jens Scheuer has been appointed as the new first-team manager of Brighton & Hove Albion Women on a three-and-a-half year contract until June 2026.
Scheuer’s appointment comes almost two months after Hope Powell resigned as manager following a disastrous start to the season, with Amy Merricks having since taken interim charge of the team – during which the club went unbeaten in three of four matches in all competitions.
Scheuer previously played as a defender during his playing career for Offenburg FV, Bahlinger SC and FC Botzingen, of which he began his coaching career and enjoyed two spells at the latter club either side of a return to Bahlinger SC.
Since 2015, Scheuer coached in the Frauen-Bundesliga with SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich Women, of which he took Bayern to the title in 2020-21 season plus semi-finals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in the same campaign.
The 44 year-old manager however left Bayern at conclusion of last season and will now begin a new chapter with Brighton, who sit second-bottom of the Women’s Super League (WSL) and could still qualify for the knockout stages of the WSL League Cup.
Speaking about his decision to join Brighton as the Seagulls face a relegation fight, Scheuer said: “It’s a great feeling, I’m very excited to work for the team and the club. The facilities are the best I have ever seen.
“I had good talks with [technical director] David Weir. The first time we spoke it was clear for me that I wanted to come here and build a team which can grow and move up the table. I’m very excited for the future and can’t wait to get started.”
Brighton & Hove Albion Women chair, Michelle Walder echoed Scheuer’s feelings as she added that the club is “absolutely thrilled” to appoint Scheuer as their new permanent manager, as she pointed to his “great experience at the very top level” with Bayern where he achieved consistent results.
Walder added that Scheuer had been top of their recruitment list during the managerial search as she commented: “Jens was our number one target from the start, and the process was similar to the one we recently undertook when appointing Roberto De Zerbi as men’s head coach.”
Acknowledging Merricks’ work as interim manager, Walder added: “The excellent results during Amy Merricks’s time as interim coach and having the winter break took some of the time pressure off us, and allowed us to go through a thorough process which reaffirmed Jens as our first choice.”
Brighton’s Technical Director, David Weir further underlined Walder’s comments about Scheuer’s talent as he praised the German’s “brilliant footballing CV” which made him “the standout candidate.”
Weir also noted that Scheuer has an “ambition and vision” which suited the club’s plans and iterated that Merricks will remain with the club, with a “key” role in helping Scheuer settle into the club and prepare the squad for a WSL relegation showdown at Leicester City on 15 January.
Brighton also confirmed that their new Women’s and Girls’ Managing Director, Zoe Johnson will join the club from Sheffield United next month, with Weir stating that both appointments demonstrates Brighton’s “commitment to women’s football.”
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