Precheur gone – so what’s next for London City?

London City Lionesses fired manager Jocelyn Precheur, sparking controversy, but the club has always done things differently.

Was a well-off club’s choice to run before they could walk a harsh decision?

Or was it a ruthless, strategic decision made by an ambitious club that isn’t afraid to challenge the norm in an effort to achieve long-term success?

Ambition is the easy answer.

With the massive investment of multi-club owner Michele Kang, London City have exploded onto the English scene.

With a history of success, wealthy businesswoman Kang owns American club Washington Spirit and eight-time Champions League champion Lyon.

Markel Zubizarreta, the global sporting director, is in charge of the three clubs’ football and business operations under the umbrella company Kynisca.

The ambitious goal for a newly promoted club is to reach European competition by 2026, according to London City, under the direction of chief executive officer Martin Semmens.

While Kang gives the final say in terms of Precheur’s departure and the potential hiring of their new head coach, Zubizarreta, Semmens, and London City’s general manager Gonzalo Rodriguez Garcia were involved in the decision-making.

London City are just halfway through their first WSL campaign, and they are now in sixth place out of 11 matches won.

Precheur led them through WSL 2 and has overseen their strong start to the season, but club sources claim they have been considering a change of direction.

Precheur was fired because they desired a coach with a unique style of football and one that would make their identity more similar to Lyon’s, not because of results.

The club intends to change its structure in response to the perception that Precheur’s style would not lead to long-term success.

With Precheur’s experience making him a respectable player in the women’s game, it could be a premature sack. Before winning WSL 2 with London City, he led Paris St-Germain to the Champions League semi-finals in 2024.

While Precheur’s influence was significant during the club’s early years, it seems as though London City are being influenced by Spanish success.

Barcelona have won three Champions League titles and reached the final in six of their previous seven seasons of club football in Europe.

Spain’s national team is currently both the world champion and the second-place team in Europe.

It was not surprising then that Jonatan Giraldez, a former Barcelona head coach, joined Kang’s Washington Spirit in 2024 before making his Lyon debut this year.

High technical skill and a clear identity define Spanish football, which plays heavily possession-based football. London City is said to want both the traditional physicality of the English game and that.

The club had a shortlist of potential coaches to take over Precheur, did not exclude some from the men’s game, and appears to have settled on Maestre, who showed promise with Spanish clubs CD Tenerife and Real Sociedad.

According to some, the main factors that were considered when selecting London City’s next appointment were the playing style, the ability to work with a wider range of expertise, and a development track record of young players and talented youth.

Maestre is anticipated to participate in the club’s January recruitment process when the appointment is confirmed.

In addition to Grace Geyoro, a former Lyon midfielder, and Danielle van de Donk, a former France international, London City made a significant summer investment.

This time around, it is thought that the transfer policy is aimed at developing future stars who are adaptable to London City’s new training regimen and coaching approach.

They are looking for future European champions because they want to be competing for silverware in the near future and to face off against the elite of the Champions League.

Maestre’s upcoming arrival will likely be combined with the appointments of other staff members, including medical experts and analysts.

London City are planning significant things for the future, not to make friends, but to rock the boat.