The winds of change are stirring from the Peaks, with a determined club inching closer to challenging Chelsea’s long-standing dominance in women’s football.

For six successive seasons, Chelsea has stood at the pinnacle of the Women’s Super League (WSL), consistently breaking records. Their latest triumph, marked by achieving the highest points tally in a single season, highlighted the seamless transition from Emma Hayes to Sonia Bompastor. This impressive run, while remarkable, has cast a significant shadow over the league. A one-sided competition might be thrilling for the victors, but it risks dampening wider interest in women’s football, particularly as the Lionesses continue to draw attention and fuel enthusiasm for the sport.

In recent years, Manchester City has been Chelsea’s closest rival, yet their championship bids have consistently stumbled at crucial moments. Injuries and a lack of decisive play have derailed their efforts just when they needed to peak.

The previous season was a stark representation of this recurring pattern. After missing out on the WSL title by goal difference in the 2023-24 season, City began the new campaign with a promising 12-match unbeaten streak. However, their momentum faltered. A loss at Stamford Bridge, followed by key injuries to players like Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, Vivianne Miedema, and Bunny Shaw, quickly diminished their prospects.

By January, the situation worsened as Chloe Kelly sought a loan move, and academy talents Lily Murphy and Gracie Prior were thrust into the spotlight. A defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup final marked the end of Gareth Taylor’s tenure, and with interim manager Nick Cushing at the helm, City ended the season empty-handed, finishing fourth without securing European football. Their lone top-flight title from 2016 now feels like a distant memory.

Shaw claimed the Golden Boot for the second consecutive year last season despite missing large chunks of the season, and her form has continued to be more imperious than ever

Jeglertz spent his early days encouraging the players to take more responsibility in training,  asked the squad to split into groups and work out the tactics together in his early sessions

By January, Chloe Kelly had forced a loan move away, while academy graduates Lily Murphy and Gracie Prior were thrust into regular starting roles. Defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup final sealed Gareth Taylor’s departure, and interim boss Nick Cushing guided a depleted squad to a tropyless season and no European football in fourth. Their last and only top-flight crown in 2016 a long way away.

This season though, optimism has returned – helped in no small part by the arrival of new head coach Andree Jeglertz, whose upbeat presence immediately lifted the mood.

Jeglertz may be little known in England, but his pedigree is clear. The 53-year-old has led both Finland and, most recently, Denmark’s national teams, and City women’s director Therese Sjogran has tried four times – at City and elsewhere – to secure his signature.

Those at City describe him as charismatic and approachable behind the scenes, similar to his approach with the media, while his CV speaks to his success: a Champions League title with Umea in 2004, two Manager of the Year awards in Sweden, and a reputation as one of Scandinavia’s most respected coaches.

Crucially for City, Jeglertz favours ‘the City way’ – a style aligned with the men’s and academy teams – but is also willing to rotate and adapt his squad. That flexibility is seen as a welcome shift from Taylor’s overreliance on his starting XI, which insiders felt contributed in part to last season’s injury struggles.

At full fitness, City boast arguably the league’s most formidable squad. Shaw claimed the WSL Golden Boot for the second consecutive year last season despite missing large chunks of the season, and her form has continued to be more imperious than ever. The Jamaican striker has already racked up 12 goals in the opening 11 games of the season, pulling well clear of the chasing pack.

Kerstin Casparij has also been splendid on the right flank for Manchester City this season 

Hemp and Greenwood, two-time Euros-winning Lionesses, have brought quality and composure following their welcome returns from injury, and Yui Hasegawa continues to anchor the midfield as the league’s standout defensive midfielder. Kerstin Casparij has also been splendid on the right flank.

This summer, the squad blended experience with youth. Germany’s Sydney Lohmann – a Bayern Munich serial winner and famously on the receiving end of former City star Jill Scott’s ire in the Euro 2022 final – has helped strengthen the midfield, while 19-year-old Swiss breakout star Iman Beney has added pace and creativity.

How Jeglertz will continue to keep this large squad satisfied if they do retain their fitness levels may become a bigger question later down the line, but it’s fair to say that his emphasis on open and honest communication is a good starting point. After all, it certainly worked for Sarina Wiegman.

Jeglertz spent his early days encouraging the players to take more responsibility in training. In one of his first sessions, rather than walking them through the videos himself, he asked the squad to split into groups and work out the tactics together, a move that initially surprised his players – but one that they now appreciate.

He has been prioritising strengthening their mental fortitude, and their 12-1 aggregate scoreline from the last three games suggest it’s working.

Speaking after Sunday’s 6-1 thumping of Aston Villa, Jeglertz said: ‘We are scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes again and it shows the attitude. Talking about the hunting, always wanting a little bit more. That has to be the drive for the team, we can never be satisfied and comfortable.

‘If that happens, I think we will struggle. That always has to be seen in our team and that’s the key thing I’m talking about everyday.’

The unity within the squad will be further strengthened when City move into their new purpose-built women’s training facility, which some of the players were consulted . No longer sharing with the men’s and academy teams, players have expressed their excitement at having a space that is their own while remaining connected with the wider club.

Lauren Hemp (above) and Alex Greenwood, two-time Euros-winning Lionesses, have brought quality and composure to the City squad following their welcome returns from injury

Located next to the women’s training pitch at the CFA and within sight of the Joie Stadium – the league’s only purpose-built women’s ground – the complex will include a dedicated nutrition area and a hydrotherapy pool, as well as a balconies overlooking the complex.

Relaxation spaces are designed to encourage players to linger after sessions, helping to foster squad culture. The aim is to relocate in time for the final few months of the season.

The pieces appear to be falling into place at precisely the right time. With no European football to juggle, one of the strongest medical departments in the women’s game, and genuine momentum behind them, there will be far less room for excuses this time around.