“Mentality” key to get City back to the top – Cushing after City miss out on Champions League | OneFootball

Nick Cushing admitted he and his Manchester City side “fell short” after failing to secure Women’s Champions League qualification.

City missed out on a European place after a 2-2 derby draw with Manchester United. Cushing’s side let a 2-0 lead slip to give their rivals the point they needed to pip City to a top-three finish with one Women’s Super League game to go.

Cushing returned to City, who he previously managed from 2013-2020, in March after Gareth Taylor was sacked, and it has not been confirmed whether he will remain in charge.

What did Nick Cushing say?

Reflecting on today’s performance and the failure to secure European football or trophies, he said: “I said to the group there that I was proud of the performance, I was proud of the character of the team, but ultimately we fell short of the standard and the expectation of ManchesterCity women, right? Me included, I was brought here on March 11th to deliver Champions League and win trophies and we fell short.

“In these moments it’s about the reaction, it’s about how you find the solutions to the problems that you faced. When I look at the group and I look at the staff, I’ve got every confidence that the solutions will be found.”

City have struggled with injuries this season, with strikers Khadija Shaw and Mary Fowler both missing today. They have had various key players struck down throughout the season, with Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood only just returning after knee surgeries.

Asked about the importance of recruitment this summer, Cushing said: “Whether you’re fourth or you’re first, everybody is recruiting and everyone’s team will change.

“We have to build a team that is (as a) bare minimum in the Champions League, competing for all the trophies.” However, he highlighted ‘mentality’ as his focus in getting City back to the top.

“That’s not me questioning the mentality of the group. I just see our team as a team that should be competing on every front. We should, you know, whether we lose players or not, when we’re 2-0 up, we should win the game.

“When I look at Manchester United, they’re a good team with a top coach, but their biggest asset is their real will to want to win. And that’s first in every team, right? You can be the best technical team, the best tactical team, you can have the best, but if you have a real desire to win, whatever is thrown at you, you’ll win.”

He also said: “We did get to a League Cup final and we did get to an FA Cup semi-final. So, the league position is far below what I expect, but we’re not that far away.”

Asked whether he wanted to remain in charge, Cushing said: “That’s a big question, right? When you ask me about this team, this team will be forever ingrained in me.

“For me, it’s about concentrating on the Crystal Palace game (next week). There has been no conversations about yes, no from myself either… we’ve been concentrating on the challenges that we’ve had.”

City face Crystal Palace in their final game of the season on 10th May at 12:30.