London City Lionesses have confirmed the appointment of Eder Maestre as their new Head Coach following a sudden managerial change earlier this month, stating that their previous manager was no longer part of their long-term plans.
Maestre has signed a contract until the summer of 2028 and will take charge of his first match on Sunday, 11 January against Liverpool in the WSL. The 39-year-old arrives from CD Tenerife Femenino and will begin work immediately, meeting the squad upon their return from the winter break. An announcement regarding his support staff will be made in due course.
The appointment comes at a significant moment for London City as they continue to position themselves as one of the most ambitious clubs in the WSL. Ongoing investment in infrastructure, squad development, and long-term planning has underlined the club’s intention to establish itself at the top end of the division.
Maestre described the project as one of the best in women’s football and highlighted the strong foundations already in place. Chief Executive Martin Semmens said the club’s recruitment process identified Maestre as the right fit, praising his emphasis on player development and building competitive teams aligned with London City’s ambitions.
Maestre brings substantial experience from Spain. During the 2024/25 season, he guided Tenerife to a sixth-place finish in Liga F, the highest in the club’s history, while implementing a clear playing identity. Previously, he spent three seasons as assistant coach at Real Sociedad, where the team finished second in Liga F, qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and reached the Copa de la Reina final. His earlier roles include technical and sporting positions at Zalla, Sestao River, and within SD Eibar’s youth academy.
The decision to dismiss Jocelyn Prêcheur came despite London City sitting sixth in the WSL and performing strongly in their first season back in the top flight. Prêcheur had led the club to promotion and guided them through a competitive opening half of the campaign, exceeding many external expectations for a newly promoted side.
The club’s leadership made clear that short-term results did not drive the move, but by a desire to begin a new cycle and ensure the next phase of the project was led by a coach fully aligned with its long-term vision. With significant backing from ownership and growing ambitions across recruitment, facilities, and playing identity, London City opted for a decisive change mid-season rather than delaying a transition they felt was inevitable.
The appointment of Maestre signals a clear intent to accelerate that long-term strategy, even at the risk of disruption in the short term, as London City look to solidify their place among the WSL’s most ambitious clubs.
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