London City Lionesses assert clear ambition with Eder Maestre’s appointment

London City Lionesses have appointed Eder Maestre as their new head coach, following the shock sacking of Jocelyn Prêcheur. 

The Spaniard has signed a deal until the summer of 2028 and will take charge in his first match on Sunday 11th January against Liverpool in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Following the announcement, Maestre is set to begin work today, which includes meeting the squad as they return from the winter break.

Maestre arrives with significant experience in Spanish women’s football, having most recently coached CD Tenerife Feminino, who play in Spain’s top division of women’s football. He helped lead the team through their tenth consecutive year in the top tier.

Ahead of his spell at Tenerife, he previously spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Real Sociedad’s women’s team, playing a key role in their second-place finish in the Liga F; this earned them qualification for the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Along with this they also reached the Copa de la Reina final. 

Maestre stated he was ‘delighted’ to join London City Lionesses, describing the club as ‘one of the best in women’s football’ and praising its clear ambitions, which he said were ‘aligned with my own.’ The thirty-nine-year-old added that ‘solid foundations are already in place’ which shows his focus on building on work already done. Eder also expressed the importance of supporters and fans, insisting they would be ‘hugely important’ as the club enters the second half of the season, followed by a demanding run of fixtures to test his impact in the role. 

London City Lionesses chief executive, Martin Semmens described Maestre’s arrival as a significant moment for the club, highlighting the alignment between his own values and the club's vision. Semmens praised the Spaniard’s focus on player development and building competitive teams which will be crucial, as the Lionesses look to continue their growth in the WSL. 

Maestre now faces an immediate test as he prepares to take charge for the first time in English football, with London City aiming to build momentum during the second half of the Women’s Super League through a challenging run of fixtures starting with a trip to face Liverpool FC Women, as the club looks to build consistency and establish new progress under a new manager.