WOMEN’S FOOTBALL COACH CASEY STOREY WANTS MORE FEMALE SPORTING ROLE MODELS
FORMER ENGLAND WOMEN’S CAPTAIN AND MANCHESTER UNITED HEAD COACH CASEY STONEY TALKS TO OK!’S KATIE LANGFORD-FOSTER
When it comes to women in football, few possess a CV as impressive as Casey Stoney MBE. The former England captain has more than 100 caps for her country, and has played for the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Following her retirement from the game last year, Casey, 37, became the righthand woman for England women’s manager Phil Neville, before landing a spot as head coach at Manchester United Women, where she led them to promotion in their first ever season.
Away from the pitch, Casey and her partner, her former Lincoln Ladies FC teammate Megan Harris, are parents to four-year-old twins Teddy and Tilly, and 18-month-old Willow. Here, she tells OK! about the trials of working away from her family during the current women’s World Cup in France, how she wants to be the best role model for her children and why she’s ruthless with her squad...
How does it feel seeing Alex Greenwood play for her country in the World Cup, after coaching her at Manchester United for the past year?
You almost feel like a proud parent! Alex has worked so hard to put herself in the position that she has. She’ll always text me after the game and if there’s anything she wants me to pick up on, I will do.
Becky Vardy criticised the BBC’S all-female punditry panel of the England-scotland game for its lack of equality. What did you make of her comments?
She obviously didn’t watch the night before, when Dion Dublin was on. I’m all for male players and pundits coming across to the women’s game, as long as they’re educated and informed. Alex Scott has paved the way for female commentators, but there’s not a female [commentator] on every single men’s game. Becky obviously hadn’t done her research. You’re currently in France commentating on the World Cup. Does Megan have help with the children when you’re away? Being away is the hardest part of my job. I struggle with the guilt but I remind myself that it’s all to build the best future for them. I have the most respect for Megan. She’s superwoman! Nothing fazes her. I just come home and be fun mum [laughs]. The twins start a new school soon and I’m quite emotional about it. The first day will be tough.
Are your children showing signs of following you and Megan into the game? I’d love them to. I can’t get Teddy out of his Man United kit now. Tilly will only wear a pink one, and Willow is already quite good with the ball. But I won’t be a pushy parent. Whatever they do, as long as they work hard, are kind and caring, we’ll be happy.
What’s it like coaching Megan’s sister, Martha Harris, at Man Utd? I am good at drawing a line. It’s all about what’s best for the team. Martha will tell you, I’ve dropped her and played her! I’m quite ruthless that way [laughs]!
What has been the biggest challenge of your career?
Mark Sampson came in as manager of England when I was captain. I found out I was being replaced on TV and he hadn’t spoken to me! I thought my international career was over. It was a tough three years.
Why are you working with Adobe on their Squad Behind The Squad campaign? We’ve been crying out for more visibility of women in sport for years. As a player, I always wanted women’s football in a better place when I finished for the next generation to pick up. But now as a mum, I want my little girls to see role models in anything they want to be. And it’s also for my little boy. He’s raised to know that everybody is equal, no matter your race, gender or sexuality.
CASEY IS PARTNERING WITH ADOBE STOCK ON ITS ‘SQUAD BEHIND THE SQUAD’ CAMPAIGN TO CELEBRATE THE WOMEN WORKING AT THE HEART OF THE FOOTBALL INDUSTRY, AIMING TO REDRESS THE COVERAGE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL RECEIVES LONG TERM. THE NEW COLLECTION OF PHOTOS IS OUT NOW.