What Becky Langley said in her first statement since leaving Newcastle United | OneFootball

Former Newcastle United manager Becky Langley has issued her first statement since leaving the job last month.

Via the League Managers Association, she reflected on the club’s progress and the challenges it currently faces since promotion to WSL2.

“I would like to thank the senior management team for giving me the opportunity to manage Newcastle United Women’s Football Club over the past six years,” she said.

“The experiences and memories will stay with me for a lifetime.

“A major summer of recruitment, along with significant facility improvements, brought many transitions to navigate. We put in considerable effort to build on last season’s excellent fifth-place finish, but early results this season did not reflect the quality of our performances. It will take time for the players and staff to fully bond and settle within this new team environment, and I am confident that results will improve as the season goes on.​

​“My thanks go out to the dedicated and talented staff and players within the squad, especially the senior players who have been invaluable allies. Amanda Staveley, Su Cumming and the new ownership group have played a key role in advancing the women’s teams, and I will always be grateful for their contribution to the growth of the game in the North East.

“My connection with the fans fills me with pride, and sharing this journey has been a true privilege. I am honoured to have played a part in the team’s development and history. This football club will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I wish the club nothing but continued success in the years ahead.”​

Becky Langley: her career so far

Langley was appointed in 2019, and led the team to back-to-back promotions from the fourth tier to WSL2.

Under her management, the team turned fully professional two years ago, the first third-tier side to make that move.

She was in charge for the team’s first-ever matches at St James’ Park, and led them to a fifth-place finish in WSL2 last season.

She was initially head of women’s football at Northumbria University, taking on the Newcastle team management as part of a partnership between the club’s foundation and the university.

Prior to that, she had coached at Nottingham Forest’s academy while leading the women’s football and futsal programmes at the University of Nottingham.

Her departure was announced on Monday, 20th October, with the team ninth in the Women’s Championship after six matches, having won only one match, drawing three, and on a goal difference of minus two.

Since then, the interim coaching team – led by Claire Ditchburn – have helped the Magpies to a 4-1 away win at Ipswich Town.