Plymouth Argyle will be one of the first opponents for a female football manager in the men’s professional game. Forest Green Rovers recently announced Hannah Dingley as their first-team coach, making her the first woman to take charge of a men’s team in England. This groundbreaking appointment has been hailed as a significant moment for gender equality in football.
Dingley, who previously served as the head of Forest Green Rovers’ academy, has been promoted on an interim basis following the departure of manager Duncan Ferguson. The club wasted no time in finding a successor and believes Dingley’s skills and knowledge align with their progressive and forward-thinking approach.
The anti-discrimination charity, Kick It Out, described Dingley’s appointment as the sound of a glass ceiling being shattered. They congratulated her on becoming the first woman to manage a men’s professional football team in England.
Rovers’ chairman, Dale Vince, has previously expressed the club’s willingness to break new ground. He had previously stated that a female coach from the Women’s Super League was the standout candidate to succeed Mark Cooper in 2021, but her CV was submitted to the club without her knowledge. Vince believes that Dingley’s appointment on merit will break new ground in English men’s football.
The English Football League’s head of equality, diversity, and inclusion, Dave McArdle, hailed Dingley’s appointment as a welcome moment for English football. He stated that the ongoing positive development of female coaches would inevitably lead to opportunities in first-team coaching roles at EFL clubs.
In addition to this historic appointment, Plymouth Argyle is rumored to be considering a move for Swedish striker Isac Lidberg. The 24-year-old currently plays for Go Ahead Eagles in the Dutch Eredivisie and has attracted interest from several clubs, including Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City. Lidberg’s goal-scoring prowess has been evident, with 11 goals in 65 appearances for Go Ahead Eagles since joining them from Swedish third-tier side Gefle IF in May 2021. French side Auxerre, German outfit St Pauli, and Belgium’s OH Leuven are also reportedly interested in securing his services.
This latest news highlights the continued progress being made in the world of football. Hannah Dingley’s appointment as Forest Green Rovers’ first-team coach breaks new ground in English men’s football and sets an important precedent for gender equality in the sport. As women continue to challenge stereotypes and excel in traditionally male-dominated roles, the footballing landscape is evolving, creating opportunities for increased diversity and inclusivity.
