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Futbol

Southampton Manager Allen Leaves Club

Remi Allen has left her role as Southampton manager by mutual agreement. The 34-year-old departs with the Saints sitting eighth in the Women's Championship table following a run of seven league games without a win. Allen was appointed in the summer after guiding London City Lionesses to safety in her first managerial role the previous campaign. Former Saints manager Marieanne Spacey-Cale, who had moved into a director of women's football role, will take temporary charge until the end of this season. Southampton said the interim period will "allow the club the time to properly identify a suitable replacement". "We would like to thank Remi for her efforts during her time at the club," Southampton said in a statement on the club website, external.

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Futbol

Record Signing Girma 'should' Be In Chelsea Squad

World record signing Naomi Girma is expected to be included in Chelsea's squad for the first time for the Women's Super League match against Brighton on Sunday. The USA defender joined for £900,000 from San Diego Wave in January but has yet to make her debut as she recovers from a calf injury. The 24-year-old was ruled out of the United States' matches for this month's SheBelieves Cup but has got back to fitness with her new club during the recent international break. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor told a news conference on Friday that Girma "should" be in the squad. Meanwhile, Australia striker Sam Kerr is "in a good place" and "progressing really well", according to Bompastor, but is not yet ready to return from her anterior cruciate ligament injury. "She is returning back to her level but it's always difficult to put a timeframe on her return, but I'm actually really happy with what I saw the last two weeks," the manager added. Kerr, who has not played since the end of 2023, was earlier this month found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment. Chelsea are currently seven points clear at the top of the WSL, while they also have a League Cup final and Champions League quarter-final to come in March.

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Futbol

Whiteley Wants To Be Permanent Liverpool Manager

Liverpool interim boss Amber Whiteley said she will "put my name in the hat" for the permanent role after Matt Beard's departure. The 47-year-old was sacked on Thursday, bringing to an end his second spell at the club. It is Whiteley's second spell as interim boss, after previously taking charge of the club from January until the end of the season in 2021 following Vicky Jepson's departure. Whiteley expects to lead the team until at least the end of the season, but is keen to land the job on a full-time basis. "I will put my name in the hat," she said. "The recruitment process has already started. "When these opportunities come about, you have to stand up and show exactly what you are capable of. It's really important to do that and to do that as a female coach too. "There are always mixed emotions when a manager leaves a club. It's never an easy thing to go through." Whiteley, who recently took up an additional role as Carla Ward's assistant with the Republic of Ireland women's team, believes she is better prepared this time around. Last time, Liverpool were in the Championship and Whiteley helped the team to a third-place finish, winning five of her nine league games in charge. "From the interim period previously the biggest thing I took away was that I was capable of doing the job," she said. "I am in a far better position having had the time with Matt and working under him. I am in a better spot now in terms of being able to take the team forward. "I'm so grateful to Matt for everything that he has given to me personally over the last three and a bit years. I'm going to miss him." Liverpool are seventh in the WSL with eight league games remaining and face Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals next weekend. Arsenal boss Renee Slegers is one of the WSL's success stories this season after her impressive spell in interim charge. The Dutchwoman took charge of the Gunners after Jonas Eidevall's departure in October. She signed a one-and-a-half-year contract in January after going unbeaten in her 11 games in temporary charge, winning 10 and drawing one. She has been named the WSL's manager of the month twice this season and offered some advice to Whiteley in her pre-match news conference on Friday. "Be yourself and try to find those small little things that you can impact," she said. "Then be brave if there are things you see that you want to change or emphasise. "Don't think that you are interim and not in a position to change things and make decisions. "You actually are and do it, because that will lead to what you want to do with the team. That would be my little advice."