The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - Arsenal lose WCL crown and Birmingham’s Merricks joins the pod – Women’s Football Weekly

Episode Date: May 5, 2026

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Tom Garry and Sophie Downey to discuss Arsenal’s Champions League exit and speak with Birmingham City’s head coach, Amy Merricks

This is The Guardian. I'm Faker others and welcome to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. And what a week it's been. We could talk for 12 hours and I still don't think we'd fit it all in. It was heartbreak for Arsenal with the defence of their Champions League title ended at Leon, who set up a final against Barcelona. The WSL 2 reached its dramatic conclusion. Congratulations to Crystal Palace and to champions Birmingham,

who beat long-time leaders Charlton, who have one more chance for promotion with a playoff against Lester, who will finish bottom of the WSL after losing to Chelsea, who themselves confirmed Champions League football next season. And congratulations to Wolves who secure promotion to the WSL too. Are you with me? Possibly. We'll review all the action here from Birmingham boss Amy Merrick's later in the pod.

Plus, if there's time, we'll take your questions. And that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly. What a pod we have today. Susie Rack. Thank you for last week. You are absolutely wonderful. I'm glad you're back. Listen, you were more of a natural than you realise.

I tell you that right now. I loved the pod last week. Thank you for stepping in for me at such late notice. Tom Gary, I have to say, your explanation of the WSL scheduling in The Guardian the other week was absolutely brilliant. And I think explained a lot to a lot of people. Bless you. That's very, very kind of you. Yeah, that's very nice indeed.

It's a complicated thing, isn't it? Not as complicated as me trying to get my headphones to work. But, you know, life goes on. One day we will do an outtakes. I've said this on many occasions before we should have an outtakes pod because we're not friends with technology, are we? Sophie Downey is, to be fair, she's already done an interview today for us, which we'll hear later on in the pod.

How are you doing, Sophie? I'm good, thank you. I'm finally back in the country in one place. It's been a bit of a manic weekend, I think. So a bit delirious, but I'll try and hold it to the other. I love watching your travels always. I always find it funny when people say travails. And I'm like, no, no, no, travel.

Like proper travels. No travails there. Right, let's get into it because there's so much to get into. Heartbreak for Arsenal on Saturday. As Leon reversed their first leg lead to book their spot in May's Champions League final, an opportunity for them to claim their ninth European title, by the way. First half goals from Wendy Renard and Kadiato Diarni put Arsenal on the back foot. Yes, your Russo did manage to level the aggregate score, but an 86-minute finish from Yula Brand sent the French side through eventually.

Tough afternoon, really, all round for Arsenal, Susie, despite coming in with a lead into the first leg, from the first leg even. Where do you feel the tie got away from them, ultimately? I mean, it's always going to be difficult. I thought in between the games that Leon would look very different in the second leg, particularly with Des Moorne expected back. I'd heard that she was, you know, kind of, it was precautionary rested in the first leg so that she would definitely be ready for the second one. And then having summer bashaback as well, I think is a massive difference too. So where in the first leg, I thought, the midfield looked a little bit disconnected from that front three.

D'Amorne in particular brings that cohesion between the two that I think makes a big difference. And then I also think, you know, when you look last season to this season, Jonathan Giraldez is a very good manager, is a very good tactically astute manager, and very capable of figuring out the best way around teams. And I think it was an uncharacteristic performance from Leon in the first leg, particularly in the second half and a bit more characteristic in this game. I'm also a bit unlucky with the off-side decision and things. But like, Leon would the better side across the game for me.

Yeah, and actually you mentioned D'Morne. She was the difference maker really winning the penalty, getting the assist as well for Yula Brown's winner. How did she manage to affect the game so well, Tom? Oh, well, all three of the kind of front four, like, attacking midfield wingers that Leon had in DeMone, Brand and Diani were all immense. And DeMone in particular had that kind of combination of pace and skill and trickery that Arsenal really couldn't contend with. It was a really good example of why many people believe Des Moorne is the best place. in the world right now.

I really think that that is the case, in my opinion, too. I think if she played international football for a country that were winning silverware, she would have swept up at quite a few of the awards ceremonies recently. And maybe if Leon win the title this year, she might get the ball on door with the Champions League. But she really was the best player on the pitch. It's a combination like inventiveness and also the speed at which she does everything, I think just sets her apart right now.

I thought she was just brilliant to watch. I was watching it next to Sophie, and we were both, I think, in all of her through ball for the winner. And then you think about the acceleration she had over about five yards to win the penalty to squeeze in between Fox and Vibbaumoi. There aren't many players who are that quick over five yards to get through that gap and she somehow managed to do it. And those are just two examples of how brilliant she was on the day.

Yeah, she was just unstoppable, wasn't she? Renee Slager's, you know, has had lots of, praise about her tactical acumen in the last 18 months so, but what did you make of her decisions on the day in this game? I think it's really hard with Arsenal. I think there was probably always going to come a time when their squad depth or lack thereof became an issue. And I think just the number of games that they've played this year

finally came to a head and things they just couldn't find a way through on the situation or a way to get round, you know, Leon's very, very impressive performance. In terms tactically, just because the very nature of it, they have to rely on Mariona Caldente and Kim Little. And I think that's down to squad building on a longer term basis of lack of in terms of those areas. We know that there are potentially signings coming in that area in summer. So that would be very, very good. But I think when you're thinking about trying to compete on as many competitions as they are, they really, really need to have more depth where they don't rely on Kim Little and Mariona Caldente

to play almost every single game. And Mariona looked shot to pieces in that first half. you could tell within 10 minutes that she just had nothing in her legs. And that's nothing on Mariano is just how much football. She's played for club and country this season. And I think the break this summer is going to do her the world of good. In terms of like the substitutions, I thought it was really good to bring us, Smiller-Hunberg.

I think she showed in that game against Lester how good she is, especially playing further forward. She was really impacting play. I think my biggest question was the decision after that was when I think it was Katie McCabe went off and I can't remember who the other one was. it meant that Samila Holmberg went to right back immediately after having had such a big impact of right wing on the goal. And it just seemed to take the sting out of the tail of Arsenal and kind of the momentum that they had in terms of her driving runs down that side. So I think if

Renee Sleggers would to do it again, she might change that decision. But all in all, you know, she's had such a successful 18 months at Arsenal as the manager. She is still very, very young. There are going to be these situations where it doesn't go quite right for her. And I think you could tell from afterwards how almost resolute she wasn't trying to learn from it and build again for next year. Yeah, well, I mean, that's always the mark of a great manager, a great leader, isn't it, to learn in these kind of situations. And you mentioned Holmberg there. She did get the assist for Alessia Russo's goal. And Arsenal did improve in bits of that second half, when they turned to the bench and actually had players that could come on. But how excited

as an Arsenal fan, Susie, are you and should other fans be about Smiller-Homeberg's potential going forward for your club? She's a hugely exciting talent, still young, so I think, you know, you can't, you don't want to over-hype someone too soon, but, like, clearly got bags of potential. I was at the Leicester game, and then in Renee's press conference afterwards,

she was like so praising of her, talked about her having just finished school and gotten her driving licence before she joined Arsenal and then she moves abroad to the European champions. Like it's a big place to come, a big stage to step into when you're so young and to perform the way she has done over the past two games is hugely impressive,

particularly when you're not playing a huge amount of football. That's the thing, right? We always say players need chances to show what they can do and it's kind of on them to take it or not. she's definitely taken a chance to stake a claim for a regular starting point, a starting slot at some point in the near future. But yeah, super talent and, you know, great that she can play numerous positions as well. Agree with Sof that when she moved further back,

then you've kind of lost her effectiveness up top, which can be a useful tactic in games that you're not chasing, but maybe not the best tactic in a game that you are chasing. But yeah, that versatility, I think, is. I guess what all managers are looking for, right? Players that can play in multiple different positions, particularly when squad sizes are fairly small. Need to talk about VAR, Tom.

It did give the penalty when the referee waved the foul away. It then spotted the encroachment from Daphne von Domsala for the first spot kick from Wendy Ranard. And then after a very long check, confirmed the winner to Yula Brand as well. This is what Leo Williamson had to say. It's hard. I felt at the start of the game,

the ball was in play for about two minutes in 20. With the rules, I don't think we're all on the same page with it, so it's frustrating. It was very stop-start. I mean, look, it did its job, Tom, which is ultimately what is there to do to get decisions factually correct. Every call was right. But obviously the impact on the rhythm of the game can't have been particularly helpful from an Arsenal point of view, particularly when they were trying to get a foothold.

So maybe it's not a perfect science and it's not used regularly enough to be in the women's game quite yet. you know, difficult at the moment. Well, the winning goal took three minutes, ten seconds for VAR to decide on, and that felt way too long. And I just think the in-stadium experience was really poor in terms of the information that the spectators are receiving. Those of us in the crowd, you know, we're getting very little information on we can't see what they're looking at.

We're not getting an explanation from the referee like you might do in the World Cup. and that weight was very, very absurd. It was a very long amount of time. And I didn't understand why it took so long for an offside that was a yes or no decision. That was not a subjective thing. That is you are either offside or you're not. And that took a long time. As for the penalty, they've made the right decision,

but I am confused about the implementation of VAR there because while I think they have made the right decision, after looking at about nine different replays. I also don't think it was a clear and obvious error not giving the penalty in the first place. So I might have phrased that badly. No, I know what you mean, but there's a threshold, isn't there?

And this is where the subjectivity still comes into play with VAR, because what one person thinks is clear and obvious, another person doesn't. So, you know, there is still going to be that human error and human judgment that comes into it. Agreed. It was one of those penalties where I think if they'd given the penalty, there's no way VAR should overturn it and not give the penalty,

but having not given the penalty on the pitch, I'm a little bit surprised VAR were intervening in the sense that some of the replays were inconclusive as to eventually we got, and they have made the right decision, but I'm a little bit confused. I thought they were only intervening when it was clear and obvious, and it wasn't that clear and obvious,

until you saw about the ninth angle. but I'm open to being criticised on that that might be a terrible take Susie's shaking her head Oh no I completely agree with your take And let's caveat this I was watching it In a pub garden at my friend's wedding

On my small iPhone screen So you know my replays weren't great But I just did not think it was a penalty But that's just me And I thought the winning goal was offside But you know I think it's something that needs to be really looked at, though, because if you remember in the game against

Chelsea, the Villa Burma's disallowed goal and the implementation of that and the clear and obvious threshold was also another thing that came to question when they disallowed that goal and whether it was a clear and obvious area. I thought it was the right decision on that day because what I thought the goal should have stood, BAR couldn't intervene because the referee had disallowed and because it had been a touch, it was not a clear and obvious area. And I think that was the concept in this situation. And I think when we get onto the next game as well, between Barcelona and Bayan Munich, the Penilla Hardegal was disallowed by VAR and VIR. I intervened when I don't think that was a clear and obvious error by the referee. I don't think it was a particularly

forceful foul on Patrick Gwiaro in the build-up. So I think then does need to be some work, whether it's with because it's with referees who don't use VAR that often because we don't have it, you know, across all of the women's game. Yeah. Whether it's just like arning out that kind of threshold of really understanding what a clear and obvious area is because it's meant to be in the hands of the referee still. It's meant to be that official on the pitch.

That's the whole point of it, deciding things. And only when, you know, in the most extreme circumstances that VAR should be getting involved. And I don't think that's happening at the moment. I think it's a combination of both, you know, that it isn't utilised consistently enough. You know, even when it's utilised consistency, you still struggle to get consistency, again, because it's humans operating the technology.

The offside one, I'm absolutely on board with. But it's never going to be perfect, but there is so much work being done behind the scenes. I know I always say it, but there is in terms of minimizing, you know, the impact. But I agree on the stadium experience. And that's definitely something that's being looked at. But then, of course, you know, when it's different competitions and different governing bodies looking after various things, there is no consistency in that manner. And we will get to that Panilla Harder goal in a second.

But first of all, I want to mention what's coming up for Arsenal. Because I think it was you, so said that they looked pretty short on energy. And, you know, Caldente and Kim Little in particular looked out on their legs. They have played a lot of football this year. And they've still got four really big games left this season. So how do they get themselves back up and running for this final two weeks? because they're so far behind on everybody else. They've got three games in hand in the WSL.

They start against Brighton on Wednesday. They only need three points in order to confirm Champions League football for next year. But three points seems like a lot when you're absolutely shattered. Yeah, I think it's especially when you have a disappointment like that. I think they were so wanting to get back-to-back Champions League finals, right? So the emotional toll is as much as the physical toll on these players who have played a lot of football and had a lot of success in 2026. but still it's just going to be fatiguing.

I think it's about, you know, just taking one, it's a cliche, right, one game at a time, building yourself up bit by bit, remembering it's only two weeks left to go, and then you're basically on holiday for a little bit. So it's very, you know, it's quite a short countdown to the very end, and they've got still so much to play for, right? You know, I know we'll go on to this, but Citi won at the weekend, but there is still, if they can win these three games in the next week, then they're still very much from with a shout on the final day.

a disaster could happen for Man City at West Ham. It might be unlikely, but it could happen. And so they need to put themselves in the best position to be able to pounce. Can I say one thing? If Arsenal, having been in Leon at the weekend, go away to Brighton on Wednesday night and then away to Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime and win both of those away games, I will be so impressed because that is a brutal away schedule, three away games and they have to win them both to stay in the tight race.

given how well bright are playing and given that they lost to Astonville last season and those are both away from home Wednesday, Saturday, that's a big big ass for any team. So if they're still in the title race, this time next week, I will take my health to Arsenal because that is

really hard. I think I would add, I think Tim said it last week, didn't he, about the scheduling and I know you wrote a really good piece on the scheduling problems and the whole process behind it this week, Tom. But I do think that Lester again should have been put at another time. And I understand how clock the schedule is,

but that Leicester game was never going to be able to be played at that time of year, as Tim said last week. And it's just created this ridiculous schedule for Arsenal where they're playing every three days they've now got three long away trips in a row in a really decisive time of year. And it's not helping teams in Europe, that's for sure. It's not helping Arsenal in Europe,

but it's also just putting so much pressure on surely what was an avoidable situation. Yeah, well, we're going to discuss the WSL and what happened at the weekend in part two. But let's finish off with our Champions League chat because the second semi-final concluded on Sunday with Barcelona overpowering Bayern Munich at camp now, beating the German outfit 4-2 in the end. I mean, they ran away with it in terms of the score line, Susie. But did Byron maybe give them more of a test than many of us expected, particularly in the second half? We talked about Panilla Harder's goal, perhaps dubiously disallowed by VAR, that would have made for a tricky final few minutes.

But what did you make of it? People probably expected a Barcelona win, but I also think that by Munich aren't a team that people necessarily under-estri any more. They've had some really big results in the last year or two that have shown that they can compete with the best in Europe in the world. And they were very, very difficult to beat in this game. I think they had a few really, really good chances late on that could have closed the margin a little bit more. Panilla Harder's goal being disallowed by VAR just felt very, very harsh in my view.

And I'm not sure that VAR should have been intervening in that situation. And they put up a really good fight towards the end. Some chaotic defending, not clearing the ball for Pateas's first, I think was a low point. But they're a very, very strong side. and when Penelahada's in a team and, you know, battling the way she battles, I think, you know, they're always going to have a chance. And the fact that, you know, she pulls that goal back in the 71st minute, was it, is a testament to the drive that she's got.

But I think they maybe could have and will be ruining that they didn't do quite a bit more in that game given the sort of small spells in attack that they had that were really exciting. It was always an uphill battle. though, wasn't it? Because this is a sixth consecutive European final for Barcelona, which is some feat. That's the longest streak in the competition's history. And it's just incredible, that kind of dominance. We've obviously seen, you know, the amount of times that Leon have won it in eight. But Barcelona over the, over recent times, that's, that's incredible that stat. Yeah. And sold out Camp New again, which is becoming so normalized for them as well now. I think that they are certainly in that six. year period, and certainly probably the last sort of seven year period, they're the dominant force, aren't they, in Europe? And there's no imminent signs of that slowing down. I thought that 60,000 crowd were treated to such great entertainment, weren't they? Whether it was the just sort of speed of movement of the Barcelona players with and without the ball, or whether it was Paters

hooking it over her shoulder with the kind of acabatic finish for the fourth, or the way these Barcelona the players clearly love playing the game and playing it in such an exciting way, that that must have been such a privilege to be a Barcelona fan watching that. And the implication is that if it had been full capacity available at the Camp New with the renovations, that they might have been able to sell out the whole thing, which is 100,000, which is extraordinary. So they are setting new levels for kind of on pitch and that off pitch to a degree, you know, at the moment. And they would be worthy champions, I think. if they could go all the way in Oslo.

Yeah, which is the 23rd of May, by the way. And I mean, these two have had some brilliant encounters over the years. So this is the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. I want no fence sitting at all. What are your early feelings about which way it's going to go? I will have to call Barcelona, I think. I think they just find a way. And I think, yeah, just the way there's a lot for that team to play for.

I think not that there isn't for Leon, but I think there's a lot of rumours around like the future of Alexia Puteus. I think her contract is up in the summer in terms of what happens with her, whether she decides to move on. She was very emotional, let's say, at the end of the pitch. She was in tears at Camp noon. You know, they've got Itanabo and Matty back who will be wanting to make her prove a point after, you know, spending a lot of the season sidelined with injury. She'd probably still win the bell on door. Yeah, probably. But yeah, I just see their strength.

I think Leon might test them as they have done before. But I think eventually Barcelona just had too much quality in the tank to come out on top. Okay, so bearing in mind our predictions, congratulations to Leon in advance for their ninth title. Right, that's it for part one. In part two, we'll catch up on the final day in Barclays, WSL2. We'll speak to Birmingham City Manager Amy Merrick's on her side's title win. We'll look at the other domestic action from a very, very busy weekend. I'm Kai Wright.

I'm Carrie Sherman. And we are here to tell you about our new show, which is rooted in this feeling that at least I have. I know you have where, you know, it's kind of like when you wake up in the morning and you pick up your phone and you're just hit in the face with a fire hose of news, right? There's war. There's authoritarianism. Our planet is burning. I could go on and on and on. On and on and on, but like we're trying to figure out how to manage it, right?

Like, how do you manage it? I manage it by leaning in and trying to learn more and trying to figure out, okay, how can I be smarter about this particular topic? And who can I talk to that's going to make me feel better about? And who can tell me who's responsible for the mess that I'm reading about? So that's our mission. That's the show. Welcome to Stateside with Kai and Carter. We're a new show from The Guardian. We're talking to big thinkers and the best journalists just trying to understand the world through smart,

conversation and honest reporting. We don't have billionaires telling us what to say. State side with Kay and Carter will come out three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, starting May 13th. Follow on Apple Podcasts or catch us wherever you watch or listen. Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Okay, so Barclays WSL2 came to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday. Birmingham City prevailed to lift the title and secure promotion with a 2-0 win over Charlton. Crystal Palace secured the second automatic playoff spot with a six.

one win over already relegated Portsmouth. That means that Chaltern are now going to play in the playoff against Lester for the final WSL spot on the 23rd of May. We'll start with Birmingham though. Susie and producer Sof caught up with Amy Merrick's earlier on to talk through that intense final day and speak about her title winning team. So Amy, massive congratulations. I can imagine it's been a bit of a whirlwind weekend. How do you reflect on everything that's happened? I don't think it's kind of settled it in, if you like, just yet.

I mean, I keep just looking back at the videos and the pictures, and it's just an amazing moment when that full-time whistle went. I'm just incredibly proud of all the staff and all the players and to go from missing out and being so close last year to being able to bounce back. I don't think a lot of teams do that in that fashion, it'd be like, and it certainly wasn't perfect, but we got it done. And I'm just so pleased that we got the top spot as well,

because I think that's a real statement. I was going to ask about that because after last year, the heartbreak, I guess, there's a bit of a lot of mental stuff that you have to get through with the team as well in kind of preparation for that to try and get over it. So how were you able to kind of climb that mountain and get to the other side? Absolutely. And it wasn't just missing out one year. This is actually a club that for the past four seasons have unfortunately just missed out.

And I actually think that carries a bit of weight on the shirt for the players. So we have a cool group of players that actually before preseason, they even started, I called them the OGs, pulled them together and, you know, what do we need to do? How are we going to go about it? And we set out some really key markers that we thought would be important as a team. The players did that. They led that. And funnily enough, two of those key markers were why we got to the position we did.

One was bouncing back after dropping points to wins. And I think it was only one occasion we didn't do that. Every other occasion we did, we bounced back to all. win and the other one was goal difference and both those things got us over the line. So I thought it was really nice. They led it. I think getting success has to come from your playing group, really having a leading role to play. And I'm really fortunate that we have such a fantastic group. They're very close. So yeah, I mean, that's a very long answer, but I do think the shirt carried a bit away because of the, unfortunately, you've been so close for so long, but look,

we managed to get done and we're back where we belong. The WSL2 is always a bit of a wild ride, so many, like ups and downs. At what point did you really start to believe that it was going to be your year, that things were starting to kind of fall your way? I believed all along. Before we'd even kicked a ball in season, I had full belief. And people don't believe me when I say that, but you can ask the players. I mean, we, Kate, we returned in January after Christmas and Cholten had a nine-point gap. I said we're in a perfect position because we get to chase, we get to hunt. I think if you look at the statistics over the years, those that have held top position for a period of time generally don't hold on to it. That was us last season. So I actually

think there's something in the concept of chasing and hunting and look at Crystal Palace. Same goes for them, right? I fully believed. And I'm just so pleased that we got the top spot because I don't think I could accept second even though that was automatic promotion. So albeit by four goals, who cares. But yeah, full belief, I knew that we were capable. I knew that we had what we needed. And it was never going to be perfect because that's not what this league is about. The WSL2 is a brutal league to get out of.

And we had some really tough results and not to mention against Dipswich the week before. I mean, they were fighting for their lives and they were exceptional in that 10-minute spell and that was a mountain to come back from. I was going to say, I'm glad you believe because I did actually predict. We always do like predictions every year.

And I did save Birmingham to go up And then you were getting me a bit worried there for a little bit, but you came through for me right in the end to prove me right. As you said, you've got some OGs in your playing squad. And I know it probably, I could see kind of the emotion on their faces, on the faces of like Christy Harrison Murray and players like that who've stuck with you through it all. And I guess since when you came in as well, you know,

being there as a foundation to you trying this rebuild around, how important have those players been for you? Oh, so important. I actually, I rang Christy this morning, because I actually haven't had a chance to speak to her properly, not only because, I mean, she couldn't speak in the party afterwards because she was just running around. I think just that relief for everyone was huge.

But, you know, I just said to her, thank you so much. There's no way this team would have got over the line without her leadership. And I think there's a lot that she does with me as well in supporting me and the team. And there's a lot that she does that I don't see. She is an incredible person, and I'm so pleased that for her not only we got it done. But in our new gym, she is front and centre of it and exactly where she should be. And it was nice also to have the likes of Louise Quinn there at a game and the girls took the trophy over to her.

And she's again, someone else that has just lived through it all. And I think you can see the players are putting up posts and a lot of the captions are we finally did it because we just had to get it overline. and we did. But yeah, honestly, Christy deserves all applaud it. She's an exceptional leader. She's going to be an exceptional head coach. I've already said to hope she'll be an exceptional successor one day. Yeah, incredible, incredible person and player.

How do you feel personally about your own development as a coach? I mean, you've done this in your second year as a manager. You must feel very, very proud. I don't know what to say to that because I haven't thought about it yet. I'll be really honest. I've got my laptop out today after a couple of days of party. and I'm like, oh, okay, right, what's next? I've made it really clear that this has never been and should never be about me.

This club has my heart. It really has. I don't know what to say to make that even clearer. I've fallen in love with the club, the ambition it has. And I was just so, so, so clear on taking this club back to where it belongs, especially the heartbreaker last season. And the first thing I did when that final whistle went on Saturday was run over to the fans, because I think we just all felt it, the pure emotion

of finally being able to get this cut back to where it belongs. And I'm going to be really honest, the real work starts now. The real work starts now. That was effectively, it wasn't easy, but that was effectively the easy bit. We all know the WSA, fortunately, I have experience of it, but it's also changed and developed. So, yeah, the real work starts now. And I'm really looking forward to the challenge of making sure we sustain WSEL status.

Sure. And I think it speaks a lot that both you and, and Joe Potter are the two managers that have, you know, got teams promoted this year. And I guess what does that tell you about the importance of giving young female managers, you know, these opportunities to manage at the top and to show you what they can achieve? It's something I'm very passionate about, and I've spoken about this a lot, to be able to create more and better female coaches at the elite level of the English game, they need to be able to see people doing it.

And I take that very seriously that I am effectively, hopefully, opening doors to others. So the product that my team produces, showcases, the work that we do is critical in making sure that we are opening that door. I take that very seriously. Joe Potter is an exceptional manager. They beat us twice credibly as well. I'm not looking forward to playing them again. Actually, yes, I am. We need to put it right. But look, to have two female English coaches in the WSL, I think, is critical to this country and the female coaches aspiring to get there. And there's several projects, the powerhouse projects, been doing a phenomenal job.

But unfortunately, female coaches get to a point and then they drop off. And the real reason for that is lack of opportunity, lack of opportunity. So we have to keep knocking down that door. I will continue to be vocal about it. But most importantly, I'll make sure I do a good job so that hopefully that opens more doors for others.

It's so important that clubs and boardrooms and stuff take a chance on people. It's just so critical. You said that you've got your laptop out already. What does the summer look like for you now? I imagine it's going to be a very busy time for the football club. Yeah, very busy. The work doesn't stop.

Obviously, we're in a period now where recruitment started. I'll be honest, you try and work two windows in advance. I think the best clubs do that. We have a fantastic backroom team. Obviously, we have hope out on the forefront of it, driving it. She doesn't rest. I think that woman doesn't sleep. I think she's incredible.

She always builds. She knows exactly what she wants. She's only just getting started at this club as well. So laptops out because it's a recognition of great we've done it. But we have an ocean that we've got to swim before the season starts to make sure we're in the best position to do exactly what we need to do. I don't want to give away too much. But obviously we have player recruitment.

We have staff recruitment. We have preseason building plans. I think the best thing is, and I'll be really honest with this elite sport as a funny way of allowing you the successes when it knows you're ready, and we are so ready for this. We have a fantastic platform of work that we've done this season. Last season, we were in a good position, but to be completely WSL ready, I'm not sure.

I think we're shown this year with our performances against Villa, Man City, physically, we're totally there, technically, tactically. We're still striving, we're building. We've got a good platform. We're so ready for this. So, yeah, the laptops out, and there's a lot of work to do, but it's good work. I don't feel like we're building from the ground up.

We've got a fantastic foundation. And hopefully you get some sort of holiday in there as well, fingers crossed. I forgot to mention that. That's the most important bit. No, yeah. And actually, I had a few coaches message me that have had fantastic careers, you know, like Sir Rian Skinner that's full of experience. And I haven't experienced this year.

This is the first time. And she was like, Amy, you need to rest. So yes, I would. We'll be doing that. I will be doing that. Hopefully I get my voice back properly as well. Awesome. Thank you so much for joining us. And congratulations again. And good luck with the rest, which is sometimes the harder part and the preparations for the new season. Thank you. Appreciate you. Thank you so much. I think we can all take a lesson from that. We all need a rest after this season. I will not be getting one. But hopefully you guys will in mid-June. Clearly she was absolutely delighted.

massive task to rebuild after relegation four years ago. And she's been absolutely fantastic. Let's touch on Palace as well, Tom. Really hard to bounce straight back up after the disappointment of last year's WSL campaign. But what have you made of the job that Joe Potter's done? And are they going to be a little bit more prepared for the top flight, do you think, this time round? Yeah, I do think they're coming back stronger. They're the best team I've seen in this league this season.

They've not won the title because they had a very slow start. but since mid-November, once they began to find their feet, they've won 12 of their last 14 matches, which is a storming run to come through and get second, coming from absolutely nowhere at Christmas to get second. And that's because they've just been so good since the turn of the year and particularly since they started getting a run of wins together. They won a home against Birmingham in December 3-0,

and I think that really set the standard that they kept for most of the rest of the season. Yeah, 12 wins in 14 is extraordinary. I think they signed really well in January with players like Haley Lad coming in, adding a lot of really good experience. And they kept a lot of the strong players in from last year as well. So they are coming back up, hopefully better equipped them when they came up last time. They look like they've got goals coming from more areas of the pitch this time as well. They seem a little bit more versatile than they were 36 months ago.

And this time they're going to have the slightly added advantage in that there will be, more chances to avoid relegation next year than they were last time in a sense that next year there'll be one automatic relegation spot and the playoff but you know finishing second bottom doesn't guarantee you going down and you know of the teams that we would expect to be down there some people are going to stay up which i think when palace were in the top flight last time they were very isolated as you know the bottom side and this i think should be a lot more competitive next year so really wishing them well and yeah Joe Potter's done a great job which is which is encouraging to see for young manager getting a chance like that and taking them up under pressure so so well done to joe

yeah we need to mention Charlton sof absolutely gutting for the addicts just one win in seven now and just a reminder for everyone there were nine points ahead in mid-march and really storming towards the title Karen hills has a proper challenge on her hands to get them ready for that playoff against Lester, doesn't she? Yeah, it's going to be a monumental task because I know Lester have been in a poor runner form recently, but I just think when you have let that kind of lead slip, the psychological side to it is huge, right?

And you can see on the pitch at the end how devastated some of those players were. Like they were inconsolable. Two weeks, three weeks is a very short space of time. Lester is still playing football as well. They've got the last game of the season. So there'll be some kind of rhythm, at least in terms of playing. matches and games. Yeah, I would think it's almost impossible at this point in time. And

maybe she can work magic in the next two weeks, three weeks, and really get them back on track. They have a really good defensive record. And that's what they will use as their foundations. But they're not particularly strong in attack. And I think their propensity to lose momentum in games and lose late as well has served them badly in these last three months or so in terms of that. So, yeah, I think for me, at the moment, Lester are probably looking the most likely of the two. And that's not because I think Lester are playing brilliantly, but I just think

in the goal that they scored at the weekend, in the little moments that they can take from these last few weeks and the rhythm that they can maybe build from that, they're probably going into that game in the best possible position if you're thinking about two bad momentums. Although nothing is impossible. You know, if she can pick those players up and they were so close, they know they were so close,

they've got another opportunity, that does not come around very often. So, you know, hopefully it will be a competitive game and both sides can show what we know that they're both capable of. And may the best team win, we'll obviously preview that when it comes round to it. Quickly wrap up the Barclays WSL, plenty of action on the penultimate match day.

Drama at the Joy Stadium as well, Manchester City, got a last gasp victory over Liverpool. Rebecca Kinnak scoring in the 91st minute to put City two points from the day. title. It wasn't pretty, Susie, but that's what champions are made of ultimately. They just are able to find a way. Yeah, I'm launching a campaign for Rebecca Nack to have the nickname Salmon, because that is what she looked like when she sort of dove, like horizontal to get to her head on that ball. It was really interesting because, like, I would say there was a spell

of time between sort of the 75th and 85th minute where Liverpool had quite a lot of chances. and at each time they weren't able to get on target or, you know, off the woodwork or wherever it may be, you just thought this has a late city winner in it. It just felt like it was coming. Lauren Hemp was so brilliant in that game. Bunny Shaw, you know, should have scored multiple times. And it just felt like eventually something could give.

And it was kind of heartbreaking to see Jennifer Falk sort of not kind of have her best moment in conceding the goal, literally moments before she had made a absolutely fantastic stop. And she was, I thought, really, really excellent throughout that game. Life of a goalkeeper. Hero to zero. Exactly. It was an impressive Liverpool performance. But yeah, I mean, there was just no way City were going to let that reach the final whistle without having put the ball in the back of the net. I felt like watching it that they were going to get that goal at some point that it came literally at the death. Yeah, Gletts even said it, he aged five years in that game.

It probably aged quite a few city fans as well. But it just felt like it was coming for me. And I think that is the mark of champions that you feel like it's never done. Prime ministers and football managers. You can just watch them age in the shortest amount of time. Sam Kerr became Chelsea all-time WSL top goal scorer, helping them to a 3-1 victory over Leicester. that result also secured them.

European qualification as well, which must be a huge relief for Sonja Bonpastor to wrap it up, particularly because their final day game is against Manchester United. Yeah, I should be very pleased. And in terms of thinking about the rebuild that's probably going to happen over the summer and stuff, having Champions League football, or at least qualifying or Champions League football, we don't know that yet.

But that option there is going to be a big pool, I think, for players to come to the club. It's a good addition to have on top of everything else that Chelsea women can offer a player and just big up to Sam Kerr because her contract is also up in a couple of weeks' time. She has had a remarkable career at Chelsea. Maybe they'll decide to keep her on, I don't know, but it has been heavily rumoured that she'll be heading towards the NWSL and this will be the end of her time in the WSL and just, I think just so pleasing for a player who's has so much to get through in the last two and a half years or so, right, in terms of fighting that injury,

fighting the injury from injury, getting back to full fitness, not being favoured in the starting 11 for a lot of the, even when she was fit, for a lot of this year. And being playing, basically went away with Australia to the Asian Cup, played back-to-back 90s minutes and has not looked back of a sense and scored, what, three and four, four and five, or something like that. The stats are there to show that she's still one of the best number nines in the world. So she's making a statement, I think, about that she's very much not over yet, not done. It's not the end of Sam Kerr. No, it most definitely isn't.

Yeah, elsewhere, Manchester United salvaged a draw at home to Brighton, thanks to a late equaliser from Leah Shuler. Tomphears secured their highest ever points tally with a 2-1 win over London City lionesses. There was a fond farewell from the home fans for Bethany England, Kit Graham, Amy James Turner, Luana Bula, Josephine Rybrink and Charlotte Grant, who will all be leaving the club at the end of the season, talking about rebuilds, certainly one going on at Spurs. Finally, West Ham scored two late goals to earn three points away against Aston Villa.

In the FA Women's National League, the playoffs, wolves have secured promotion to Barclays WSL2. Dan McNamara's side, and a 1-0 victory in the playoff game against Plymouth Argyll, thanks to a goal from Charlotte Greengrass. Congratulations to them. Quite the journey as well to reach this point for Wolves. Tom, you were at the Pirelli yesterday.

How was it? Oh, it was tense, Faye. It was really, really tense. And Wolves' celebrations were hugely joyous and emotional, really. Good crowd as well, around 2,000 people there. So for those who don't know, last year, of course, wolves were really in a mix of emotion, but the club didn't apply for the licence.

This year, there's been a sort of a much more progressive approach from the football club. the chairman Nathan Shee was actually there yesterday watching on and supporting the team and this year they did put in the license and they'd been accepted and they've managed to get promotion the players in a squad that they've only lost two league matches in total in the last two years

so it's been coming they nearly got promoted four years ago when they lost the playoff to Southampton in 2022 they only lost one-nil and in that year they only lost one league game as well so they've been close several times and it feels like it just felt like it was kind of their turn yesterday their goal

ballkeeper Alex Brooks had a phenomenal game and Plymouth were very unfortunate not to win actually. I would argue that Plymouth had by far the better chances. But in the end, a mistake at the back of Plymouth allowed Charlotte Greengrass to score the winner and the place went wild. And I think it just felt as though Wolves had, as Dan Manamara himself, the head coach said, you know, they were probably got the rubber of the green yesterday, but maybe it was their turn to get the rubber of the green after several years of near misses. Yeah, absolutely. And congratulations to them as well as to Baldwin, St. Michael's and Norwich City, who played in the other two playoff games. They both won to secure their promotion to the FAA Women's National League premiere. So pretty much most things are wrapped up and we will find out how the Barker's WSL finishes. We're expecting the title to go to Manchester City. But I'm sure Susie's Arsenal are going to have something to say about that. And I don't feel as if the drama is yet. over. Congratulations to everyone. Well, I mean, we got through it. How did we get through that? We actually got through that relatively quickly, bearing in mind the amount we had to do. Tom,

it was lovely to see you as always. Lovely to see you, mate, chat soon. Sof, lovely to see you as always. Brilliant to be back on. See you soon. Cezy Wack. Still need to get that coffee in the time. We really do. I know. It's so ridiculous. This is getting embarrassing. To be fair, you've been busy. We've been busy. It's the end of the season. But we do need to be better. We must be better. Anyway, keep having you say, send in your questions via X. I'm sorry we didn't get around to them this week,

but we will have plenty more time before the season ends. You can send them in via X or email us at women's football weekly at the Guardian.com. This is your regular reminder to sign up for our biweekly women's football newsletter. All you need to do is search moving the goalposts sign up. The Guardian Women's Football Weekly is produced by Sophie Downey and Silas Gray. Music composition was by Laura Iodale. Our executive producer is Joel Grove. This is The Guardian.