Marc Skinner

Formerly a teacher, Skinner was football academy manager at Solihull College which opened a ladies-only academy and regional talent hub linked to professional team Birmingham City in 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.birminghamcityladiesfc.co.uk/news/blues_link_with_solihull_college.html|title=Blues link with Solihull College|website=www.birminghamcityladiesfc.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-01-19|archive-date=20 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093439/http://www.birminghamcityladiesfc.co.uk/news/blues_link_with_solihull_college.html|url-status=dead}}

Skinner had held various roles at Birmingham City since 2006 including technical director, reserve team head coach and first-team goalkeeping coach. In December 2016, he was promoted to the position of head coach of the first team.{{Cite web|url=http://www.birminghamcityladiesfc.co.uk/news/marc_skinner_appointed_manager.html|title=Marc Skinner appointed manager|website=www.birminghamcityladiesfc.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-01-19|archive-date=20 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120043148/http://www.birminghamcityladiesfc.co.uk/news/marc_skinner_appointed_manager.html|url-status=dead}} Upon the appointment he said "Since I found out I haven’t stopped smiling, this club is deep in my heart. I am extremely proud to lead this fantastic team and I am hoping to continue the success there already been in the past." The FA WSL was in the middle of a switch to the traditional autumn-to-spring calendar and, as a result, Skinner's first campaign was the shortened 8-game Spring Series from February–May 2017 where Birmingham finished 7th. The team also made the FA Cup final.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39848931|title=Women's FA Cup final: Birmingham City 1-4 Manchester City|date=2017-05-13|access-date=2019-01-19|language=en-GB|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731025254/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39848931|url-status=live}} The Blues improved to a 5th-place finish in the 2017–18 season.

Upon his departure in January 2019, Skinner's Birmingham side sat 4th in the WSL table. He was credited with turning around the Blues’ style of play - creating a well-organized and defensively sound system while implementing a dominant attacking style on a small budget compared to Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea who were above them.{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2019/01/14/orlando-pride-appoints-marc-skinner-head-coach-ahead-2019-nwsl-season|title=Orlando Pride Appoints Marc Skinner as Head Coach Ahead of 2019 NWSL Season|date=14 January 2019|access-date=19 January 2019|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228063939/https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2019/01/14/orlando-pride-appoints-marc-skinner-head-coach-ahead-2019-nwsl-season|url-status=live}}

On 14 January 2019, Skinner was announced as head coach of Orlando Pride, a team he called "one of the biggest clubs in the world." He became the team's second ever head coach following the departure of Tom Sermanni at the end of 2018. After a difficult start having failed to win any of his opening nine games, Skinner earned his first win as Orlando head coach on 22 June in a 2–1 victory over Sky Blue FC.{{cite web |title=Sky Blue FC vs. Orlando Pride |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/sky-blue-vs-orlando-pride-2019-06-22 |website=www.nwslsoccer.com |access-date=3 March 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128125845/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/sky-blue-vs-orlando-pride-2019-06-22 |url-status=dead }} In his debut campaign, Orlando finished bottom of the league with a franchise record-low 16 points.{{cite web |title=2019 NWSL season review: Orlando Pride |url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/2019/11/02/nwsl/1002300-2019-nwsl-season-review-orlando-pride.html |website=VAVEL |language=en-us |date=26 November 2019 |access-date=3 March 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128125841/https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/2019/11/02/nwsl/1002300-2019-nwsl-season-review-orlando-pride.html |url-status=live }} With the 2020 season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Orlando Pride saw their schedule reduced to four Fall Series matches. The team failed to win any of them but notably ended the series in dramatic fashion with a second-half comeback from three goals down to tie with North Carolina Courage.{{cite web |title=NWSL Fall Series: Orlando Pride storm back from three-goal deficit to draw North Carolina Courage |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nwsl/news/nwsl-fall-series-orlando-pride-storm-back-from-three-goal-deficit-to-draw-north-carolina-courage/live/ |website=CBSSports.com |access-date=3 March 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022095441/https://www.cbssports.com/nwsl/news/nwsl-fall-series-orlando-pride-storm-back-from-three-goal-deficit-to-draw-north-carolina-courage/live/ |url-status=live }} After finishing third of five teams in the group stage of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, Orlando picked up 15 points in seven games during an unbeaten start to the regular season, the longest unbeaten start in club history.{{cite web |last1=Poe |first1=Julia |title=Sydney Leroux powers unbeaten Orlando Pride to road win in Kansas City |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-pride-soccer/os-sp-orlando-pride-kansas-city-sydney-leroux-road-match-recap-20210623-hqwlovmminc4thldvod7kydihu-story.html |website=Orlando Sentinel |access-date=10 July 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128125841/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-pride-soccer/os-sp-orlando-pride-kansas-city-sydney-leroux-road-match-recap-20210623-hqwlovmminc4thldvod7kydihu-story.html |url-status=live }} Combined with the two unbeaten games at the end of the Challenge Cup, the nine game streak matched Orlando's record all-time unbeaten run in all competitions set in October 2017. He stepped down on 23 July 2021, amid reports he had agreed terms with Manchester United.{{cite web |title=Marc Skinner Steps Down as Orlando Pride Head Coach |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/marc-skinner-steps-down-as-orlando-pride-head-coach |website=www.orlandocitysc.com |access-date=23 July 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128125838/https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/marc-skinner-steps-down-as-orlando-pride-head-coach |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Man Utd agree terms with Orlando boss Skinner |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57944598 |website=BBC Sport}}

On 29 July 2021, Skinner returned to the FA WSL to become the second head coach of Manchester United, taking over from Casey Stoney following her resignation in May 2021. He signed a two-year contract with the option for a third.{{Cite press release|date=2021-07-29|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/marc-skinner-appointed-as-man-utd-women-head-coach|title=Marc Skinner appointed as United Women head coach|website=Manchester United|access-date=29 July 2021|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729145515/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/marc-skinner-appointed-as-man-utd-women-head-coach|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Man Utd appoint Skinner as head coach of women's side |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58012197 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005223634/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58012197 |url-status=live }} Under Skinner's tenure, Manchester United finished second in the 2022–23 WSL season, their highest finish in the league to date, as well as runners-up in the FA Cup that same season.{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Emma |date=2 April 2025 |title=Man Utd women's manager Skinner signs new contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5ylr0pd72ro |access-date=6 April 2025 |website=BBC Sport |language= |archive-date=5 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405233313/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5ylr0pd72ro |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Wrack |first=Suzanne |title=Chelsea claim FA Cup hat-trick after Sam Kerr sees off Manchester United |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/14/chelsea-manchester-united-womens-fa-cup-final-match-report |website=The Guardian |date=14 May 2023 |access-date=14 May 2023 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619211253/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/14/chelsea-manchester-united-womens-fa-cup-final-match-report |url-status=live }} This finish also saw the club reach the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds for the first time, though they failed to advance to the group stages after being defeated by Paris Saint-Germain across both second round qualification legs the following season.{{Cite web |date=18 October 2023 |title=Women's Champions League: Manchester United miss out on group stage after loss to Paris St-Germain |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67132066 |access-date=6 April 2025 |website=BBC Sport |language= |archive-date=5 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405235617/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67132066 |url-status=live}}

Despite an underwhelming 2023–24 league campaign, which saw the club finish fifth in their lowest placement to date, this season saw Skinner win his first silverware as a manager as Manchester United won the 2024 FA Cup final on 12 May.{{cite web |title=Chelsea win fifth Women's Super League title in a row after beating Manchester United 6-0 in Emma Hayes' last match |url=https://news.sky.com/story/chelsea-win-womens-super-league-after-beating-manchester-united-6-0-in-emma-hayes-last-match-13138668 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=6 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406001146/https://news.sky.com/story/chelsea-win-womens-super-league-after-beating-manchester-united-6-0-in-emma-hayes-last-match-13138668 |archive-date=6 April 2025 |date=18 May 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Emma |date=12 May 2024 |title=Women's FA Cup final: Manchester United beat Tottenham to win first major trophy |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c3g9d12wn33t |access-date=12 May 2024 |website=BBC Sport |language= |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523132928/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c3g9d12wn33t |url-status=live }} He signed a one-year extension with the option for a further year on 17 May 2024.{{cite web |title=Skinner signs new contract with United Women |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/marc-skinner-signs-one-year-contract-extension-with-united-women |website=Manchester United F.C. |access-date=17 May 2024 |date=17 May 2024}} On 2 April 2025, Skinner signed a further contract extension with United, keeping him at the club until 2027 with the option for an additional year.{{cite web |title=Skinner signs new contract with United Women |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/marc-skinner-signs-new-contract-as-united-women-manager-until-june-2027 |website=Manchester United F.C. |access-date=5 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405233727/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/marc-skinner-signs-new-contract-as-united-women-manager-until-june-2027 |archive-date=5 April 2025 |date=2 April 2025 |url-status=live}}

Skinner is in a long-term relationship with former England international defender Laura Bassett having met while both coaching for Birmingham's U-14s team.{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/laura-bassett-without-club-doesnt-want-play-partner/|title=Laura Bassett is without a club but she doesn't want to play for her partner|last=Moore|first=Glenn|date=2017-06-06|website=inews.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-19|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418061412/https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/laura-bassett-without-club-doesnt-want-play-partner/|url-status=live}} Their daughter, Saede, was born in December 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/laurabassett6/status/1070584733724274689|title=Laura Bassett tweets birth announcement|last=Bassett|first=Laura|website=Twitter|access-date=19 January 2019|archive-date=8 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708201617/https://twitter.com/laurabassett6/status/1070584733724274689|url-status=live}} The couple's second child was born in March 2024.{{cite web |last1=Rowe-Willcocks |first1=Helen |title=Healy: Every game is dangerous in the WSL |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-women-assistant-coach-charlotte-healy-ready-for-bristol-city-challenge-in-wsl-on-17-march |website=Manchester United F.C. |access-date=24 May 2024 |date=15 March 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524105942/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-women-assistant-coach-charlotte-healy-ready-for-bristol-city-challenge-in-wsl-on-17-march |url-status=live }}

All competitive games (league and domestic cups) are included.

{{updated|18 May 2025}}

Birmingham City

• Women's FA Cup runner-up: 2016–17{{cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Jacob |title=Women's Cup final: Carli Lloyd strikes as Manchester City beat Birmingham |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/13/birmingham-manchester-city-womens-fa-cup-final-match-report |website=The Guardian |date=13 May 2017}}

Manchester United

• Women's FA Cup: 2023–24; runner-up: 2022–23, 2024–25{{cite web |last1=Sanders |first1=Emma |title=Chelsea seal treble with FA Cup win over Man Utd |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c5yegvjzq0vt |website=BBC Sport |access-date=20 May 2025 |date=18 May 2025 |archive-date=18 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518193247/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c5yegvjzq0vt |url-status=live }}

Individual

• Women's Super League Manager of the Month: December 2021,{{Cite web|date=12 January 2022|title=Marc Skinner and Ella Toone: Manchester United duo win Women's Super League awards for December|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36996/12513930/ella-toone-and-marc-skinner-manchester-united-duo-win-womens-super-league-awards-for-december|access-date=12 January 2022|website=Sky Sports|archive-date=12 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112125037/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36996/12513930/ella-toone-and-marc-skinner-manchester-united-duo-win-womens-super-league-awards-for-december|url-status=live}} January 2022,{{cite web |title=Man Utd forward Leah Galton and manager Marc Skinner win monthly award |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36996/12537527/womens-super-league-man-utd-forward-leah-galton-wins-player-of-the-month-award-for-january |website=Sky Sports |date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929170612/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36996/12537527/womens-super-league-man-utd-forward-leah-galton-wins-player-of-the-month-award-for-january |url-status=live }} October 2022,{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Jamie |date=10 November 2022 |title=Marc Skinner named Barclays WSL Manager of the Month for October |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/marc-skinner-barclays-wsl-manager-of-the-month-october |access-date=10 November 2022 |website=90min.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110130947/https://www.90min.com/posts/marc-skinner-barclays-wsl-manager-of-the-month-october |url-status=dead }} December 2022,{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Jamie |date=12 January 2023 |title=Man Utd land Barclays WSL player & manager awards for December |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/man-utd-land-barclays-wsl-player-manager-awards-december-2022 |access-date=12 January 2023 |website=90min.com}} April 2023{{cite web |title=Skinner named WSL Manager of the Month |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-women-boss-marc-skinner-named-wsl-manager-of-the-month-for-april-2023 |website=www.manutd.com |access-date=14 May 2023 |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511114102/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-women-boss-marc-skinner-named-wsl-manager-of-the-month-for-april-2023 |url-status=live }}

{{Reflist|3}}

{{Manchester United W.F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Skinner, Marc}}

Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:Orlando Pride head coaches

Category:Manchester United W.F.C. managers

Category:National Women's Soccer League head coaches

Category:Women's Super League managers

Category:English football managers

Category:Birmingham City W.F.C. managers