Guardian writers’ predicted position: 1st (NB: this is not necessarily Tom Garry’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Champions again at last, after a 10-year wait, Manchester City now face an even tougher task: defending their title. They appear to have a good chance of succeeding, especially after keeping their star striker, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw. The WSL’s top scorer and best player of 2025-26 performed a dramatic U-turn by signing a new four-year contract in May rather than leaving on a free transfer, and that may prove crucial in continuing City’s positive momentum.
Their squad looks to be of a similar strength to last season. The Brazil forward Kerolin left for Barcelona but Beth Mead arriving from Arsenal in essence replaces her. Similarly, the exit of left-back Leila Ouahabi will be compensated for by the acquisition of Niamh Charles from Chelsea.
Perhaps the only minor question is whether there is sufficient depth to sustain a challenge in the Women’s Champions League as well as domestically, but the core of regulars looks as formidable as any club in Europe. The team scored plenty last term and had great success down the flanks, with the right-back Kerstin Casparij providing the joint-most assists in the division. Defensively they look solid.
The most intriguing challenge could be psychological, as they switch from hunters to hunted, becoming the team that everybody wants to beat. They start at home to one of the promoted sides, Birmingham City, and first meet a fellow title hopeful – Arsenal – at the start of October, when they will aim to lay down a marker in the title race. Owned by City Football Group and led off the pitch by the managing director, Charlotte O’Neill, and director of football, Therese Sjögren, City enter the season with a new women’s team building at the training centre.
The £10m building offers everything from underwater treadmills to a barista-style coffee machine in the canteen, with every element tailored towards maximising performance for female athletes. Previously the women’s team sometimes had to share a gym with City’s boys’ academy. Andrée Jeglertz’s first season could scarcely have gone better, as he oversaw a league and cup double.
He arrived in Manchester after a relatively uninspiring spell in charge of Denmark women but his CV is full of extensive high-level experience, including a 2004 European title with the Swedish club Umeå. The 54-year-old is a calm presence on the touchline, unwavering in his belief that his team will “find a way to win”, and has avoided controversy in press conferences, which he handles assuredly. Mead was the headline signing on a free transfer after nine years at Arsenal.
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