City Football Group backs Manchester City women with £10m facility and elite squad

Manchester City has opened a new £10 million women’s team building at its training centre, marking a significant shift in corporate infrastructure for the reigning English champions. The facility features specialized equipment for female athletes, replacing an arrangement where the squad previously shared a gym with the boys’ academy.

Owned by City Football Group, the club is managed off the pitch by Charlotte O’Neill and director of football Therese Sjögren. This dedicated capital expenditure underscores a broader institutional strategy to maximize performance and commercial value as the team prepares to defend its domestic and European titles.

On the pitch, the club has secured its most valuable assets while navigating a competitive transfer market. Star striker Khadija Shaw, the league’s top scorer, signed a four-year contract in May, rejecting a free transfer that would have diminished the club's sporting and commercial standing.

The squad has also been reinforced with high-profile acquisitions to replace departing talent. Forward Beth Mead joined on a three-year deal following her departure from Arsenal, while Niamh Charles arrived from Chelsea to cover the exit of left-back Leila Ouahabi.

Manager Andrée Jeglertz, who guided the team to a league and cup double in his first season, emphasized the value of squad depth. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he stated that “each player will be more important than they’ve ever been for the club” as they explore the whole squad across multiple competitions.

Tactical efficiency has also defined their recent success, providing a blueprint for sustained competitiveness. The team scored at least twice as many set-piece goals as any other division rival last season, turning free-kicks and corners into a primary offensive weapon.

The club is further leveraging its matchday profile by scheduling select fixtures at larger venues. While the 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium remains the primary home and has not seen a league defeat since a 4-3 loss to Arsenal in February 2025, the team will play two league matches at the Etihad Stadium against Arsenal and Manchester United.

Long-term asset development continues with the promotion of 18-year-old full-back Sacha Lewis, who signed her first professional contract in August. The integration of homegrown talent alongside established stars illustrates a balanced approach to sustaining competitive dominance in a maturing market.