The WSL has been thrown into turmoil after Leicester City sacked head coach Amandine Miquel just two weeks before the season opener. Burnley boss Matt Beard resigned immediately to pursue the role, leaving the newly promoted side scrambling for stability.
The Women’s Super League is no stranger to late-summer drama, but Leicester City and Burnley have managed to deliver a storyline few could have seen coming.
Leicester confirmed the dismissal of head coach Amandine Miquel, who led the club to a 10th-place finish last season. The decision, driven by newly appointed director of women’s and girls’ football Lee Billiard, was reportedly made in a bid to secure a “higher-calibre” leader ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Just hours before her dismissal, Burnley manager Matt Beard had attempted to open talks with Leicester about the vacancy. When Burnley blocked his approach, the experienced coach stunned the club by resigning after only two months in charge.
A Sudden Shake-Up
Beard’s resignation came before Miquel had officially been relieved of her duties, raising eyebrows around the league. With Leicester now moving quickly to replace Miquel, the timing suggests Beard is a frontrunner to take the job.
The move is particularly startling for Burnley, who had only just secured Beard as an ambitious hire to spearhead their push for promotion from the Women’s Championship. Instead, the club now finds itself managerless on the eve of a critical season.
Burnley’s Response
In a statement released after Beard’s departure, Burnley expressed disappointment but vowed to stay focused on their long-term project:
“We’re naturally very disappointed with Matt’s decision, but we’re already looking positively to the future to ensure we remain on track to achieve our objectives for the 2025-26 season and beyond.”
First Team Coach Louise Roberts has been appointed Interim Manager, supported by fellow coach Liam Gilbert, while the club considers its next permanent move.
What It Means for Leicester
Leicester now find themselves at a crossroads. By removing Miquel and aggressively pursuing a replacement, the club has signaled its ambition to climb further up the WSL table. Beard, a two-time WSL champion with Liverpool, fits the profile of a coach with both experience and pedigree.
Should Leicester complete the move, Beard would take charge of a squad that is desperate to avoid another relegation scrap and establish itself as a solid mid-table side.
A Bizarre Pre-Season Twist
With just two weeks before the league kicks off, both clubs face an unexpected scramble. Leicester may be closer to securing their man, but Burnley are left dealing with the fallout of losing their manager before he ever led the team in a competitive match.
It’s a dramatic turn of events that has reshaped the managerial landscape of the WSL before a ball has even been kicked.
