Eva Olid: The New Force at Manchester United Women

It's been a whirlwind ten weeks for Eva Olid since she stepped into the role of manager at Manchester United Women. Her unexpected appointment in early August came just after Marc Skinner's exit and right before the Women's Super League season kicked off. When we catch up at a coffee shop in Manchester—despite her not being a coffee drinker—it's one of the few moments she's had to pause amid a hectic schedule. "It's been good but really busy," Olid shares with BBC Sport. "It's just been work, home, work, home." The 41-year-old arrived at United after an impressive stint at Hearts, where she transformed the team from bottom dwellers to Scottish Premier League champions in just five years. Yet, few in England were familiar with her, making it crucial for Olid to introduce herself to her new squad during her first days at Carrington. "On my first day, I showed them my past and who I am," she states. "I wanted to be myself from the beginning. I let them know that I’m a person before I'm a coach." Olid, who began her coaching journey at 26, embraces a possession-oriented style that focuses on building play from the back. But her transition to United wasn't smooth sailing. She inherited a squad stretched thin and faced the challenge of prioritizing academy talent while wanting to implement her attacking philosophy. The pressure was on. In her first two matches, United fell 2-1 to London City Lionesses and suffered a disheartening 5-0 defeat to Chelsea. But that Chelsea loss became a pivotal moment in her early relationship with the players. "It was a tough week," she admits. "We had some honest conversations, and I took responsibility for a lot. It was a good starting point for the players." Despite the setback, Olid remained confident. "It sounds crazy, but I was confident because I understood the issues at hand. Knowing the problems is the first step to fixing them." Deciding to simplify their approach, she opened the lines of communication with her squad. "We discussed what needed to change. It was an emotional week, but when we faced Arsenal, we fought for each other. It was a perfect starting point for better days ahead." The result? A hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Emirates led to a five-game unbeaten streak that propelled United from the bottom of the WSL standings to seventh place. Olid believes there's even more potential to unlock. "At Manchester United, the goal is to win, but also to develop players and implement a new style. Finding that balance is key, and I think we've made progress in recent weeks." As she settles into her role, Olid is eager to explore Manchester, starting with the search for good Spanish cuisine. "I have to say, some of the tapas bars aren't 100% authentic," she laughs. "In Scotland, it took me time to find a good tapas spot, so I hope to find something here that feels like home." While she’s still hesitant about driving on British roads, she’s become a fan of the local public transport system. "I wasn't brave enough to drive here," she admits. "In Scotland, I used to get around by bus, and now I’m figuring out the trams." Olid has already made a pilgrimage to one of Manchester's iconic landmarks: Old Trafford. "I came here as a fan 13 years ago, and it was incredible," she recalls. "I went again on Saturday and got to see the changing rooms. When we play there this season, I will feel like the happiest person in the world—like a dream come true."