Cushing: If this is it, I’ve loved my City return | OneFootball

Nick Cushing admits our WSL finale against Crystal Palace could be his last game in charge of City, but says his period as Interim Head Coach has been ‘really enjoyable’.

Cushing was brought in on a temporary basis after the Club parted ways with Gareth Taylor in March.

With City hit hard by a lengthy injury list, the Blues have gone on to reach the League Cup final, FA Cup semi-finals and UEFA Women’s Champions League last eight.

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A fourth-placed WSL finish was also confirmed last weekend after being held to a 2-2 draw against Manchester United, and Cushing is the first to admit that it’s been a challenging period for City.

However, it’s an experience which he’s relished after winning six major honours in his first spell in charge between 2014 and 2020, and has also convinced him of his desire to get back in the dugout as soon as possible.

“I said after the last game, there has been no conversations about [the managerial role] post this season,” he explained.

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“As it stands, yes. This is the last game, [but] I’ve really enjoyed the period. It’s been challenging but it’s also been really enjoyable.

“I spent December, January and February without a team and one thing I’ve learnt is I am better in a team. I am really motivated to be successful.

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“The coaching and being around the players, planning games that we’ve had, I’ve been almost at home in that moment. Post this, who knows?

“There’s been no conversations with this team about continuing but my desire and intention is to be with a team from pre-season.”

Focusing on Saturday’s 12:30 (UK) kick-off with Crystal Palace at the Joie Stadium, Cushing added that Leila Ouahabi would be unavailable for selection.

The Spain defender was brought off early on at Old Trafford after a heavy collision, but our Interim Head Coach didn’t go into the extent of the injury in his pre-match press conference.

However, there was positive news in the form of Lauren Hemp now being available for the full 90 minutes against the Eagles, as well as Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino’s improved conditions.

Elsewhere, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who’s level with Alessia Russo in the race for the WSL Golden Boot, is still unavailable.

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Speaking about Shaw, he said: “She won’t be involved. She’s not been with the team and she’s still in that initial stage of rehab with the medical team.

“[We were] disappointed to lose Leila [Ouahabi], she’s a top professional and she’s helped me. It was tough to lose an experienced player in a big game.

“It was positive to get Alex [Greenwood] through 90 minutes and Lauren [Hemp] played 60 so she’s now available to play the whole game.

“Getting Laura [Blindkilde Brown] in and Aoba [Fujino] in is hugely positive.

“There are no new updates with the likes of Viv [Miedema] and Bunny but we’ve got players that weren’t available that are now.

“It’s really important to me that we deliver a strong performance for our fans.”

Man City app coverage

As always, the official Man City app has all bases covered for our final WSL match of the season.

Our Matchday Centre, providing regular updates, stats and analysis across the day from 11:00 (UK).

Those with push notifications turned on will also be alerted to all the key moments as they unfold from the Joie Stadium.

A detailed match report and reaction from the clash will be made available soon after the final whistle, with highlights and a CITY+ full-match replay published from 12:00 (UK) on Sunday 11 May.