London City Lionesses Appoint Eder Maestre as Manager

The London City Lionesses, a club in the Women’s Super League, have announced the appointment of Eder Maestre as their new manager, succeeding Jocelyn Precheur who was dismissed.

Eder Maestre, a Spanish coach, previously managed CD Tenerife Femenino in Spain’s top division, leading the team to a commendable sixth-place finish before his departure in December. At 39 years old, he is regarded as a promising talent with a distinctive Spanish coaching style that aligns with the club’s aspirations. Maestre has also held managerial positions at Real Sociedad.

He has signed a contract that extends until the summer of 2028 and is set to lead his first match on January 11 against Liverpool in the WSL. Expressing his enthusiasm, Maestre stated, “Working in English football has always been my goal, and representing this club is a real honour.”

Precheur was let go on December 21, with the Lionesses positioned sixth in the league after achieving five wins from their initial eleven matches in their debut WSL season. Maestre remarked, “In my opinion, the project presented to me by the club is one of the best in women’s football. The ambitions of the club are clear and resonate with my own, and I am eager to begin my role.”

Martin Semmens, chief executive officer of the London City Lionesses, described Maestre’s hiring as a significant milestone for the club. “Following a thorough search, it became evident that Eder’s values align with ours, and his vision for our playing style will propel us towards our ambitious goals,” Semmens noted.

The London City Lionesses sought a coach capable of developing and consistently delivering a unique football style. Influenced by the success of Spanish football and the dynamic approach seen at clubs like Lyon, the Lionesses were open to candidates from both women’s and men’s football.

Key criteria included the ability to foster collaboration with a wider team of experts, a proven track record in player development, and a distinctive playing style. Maestre’s experience with CD Tenerife and Real Sociedad has fueled the Lionesses’ belief in his potential to become a prominent figure in women’s football.

Under Semmens’ leadership, the club is committed to a long-term vision aimed at achieving European competition status by 2026, an ambitious goal for a team newly promoted to the WSL this season. While the decision to replace Precheur with Maestre may seem premature, the club is prepared to embrace the risk, with anticipation surrounding the outcome.