Aston Villa have sacked manager Natalia Arroyo after a winless start to the Women’s Super League season. The club’s decision followed a 4-0 defeat by Tottenham on Sunday, a result that left Villa with two draws and two defeats from their opening four matches.
Arroyo was informed of the decision on Monday evening, and the players were told on Tuesday morning. Former Everton manager Brian Sorensen, who is now Villa’s women’s technical advisor, has been placed in interim charge. Villa are next due to play Newcastle in the Women’s League Cup on Wednesday at 19:30 BST.
The Spaniard had joined Villa in January 2025 and had another two years remaining on her contract. She played for Barcelona and Spain before retiring in 2009. Since her arrival, the club showed flashes of potential, with Arroyo initially steadying the ship as Villa flirted with relegation during her first six months in charge.
Despite investment in the transfer window, Villa lacked consistency and were underwhelming last season. There was pressure on them to perform, and while they earned a draw against Chelsea on the opening weekend, they have looked dangerously open at the back and chaotic out of possession.
The heavy defeat by Spurs was a worrying display and appears to have been enough to prompt the club to act. Arroyo becomes the first managerial departure of the WSL season, although former Manchester United boss Marc Skinner and ex-Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic both stepped down earlier this year.