Everton Women: Sacking of Brian Sorensen signals change of direction amid WSL relegation fears
Everton Women sacked manager Brian Sorensen earlier this week as pressure mounted following the inconsistency that has dragged the team into an unnecessary relegation battle in the Women’s Super League.
The club’s decision to part ways with Sorensen was confirmed on Wednesday, with Everton Women sitting ninth in the WSL standings, just four points clear of the relegation places.
Having been in charge since 2022, signing a contract extension until 2027 as recently as last April, Sorensen’s departure came as a shock to many surrounding the club despite the growing concern about Everton’s league position.
Although the team managed their first home win of the season in a late comeback against Aston Villa last Sunday, the points that lifted them four points clear from the bottom were not enough to ease wider doubts regarding the team’s performances.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Liberty Nicholson-Hulse reflects on Sorensen’s dismissal and the direction the club plans to take next.
Consistency missing despite investment
Despite their activity in the transfer market last summer, spending has been more limited in the January window.
Sorensen even seemed to make a jab at the club’s hierarchy in a recent interview, suggesting that Everton’s league position is “probably a reflection of what we are spending”.
Yet, while Sorensen was heavily involved in prior recruitment and oversaw the addition of quality players across multiple transfer windows, Everton have struggled to find consistency this season.
The Everton boss was unable to settle on a stable starting eleven, and the side’s results have suffered in return.
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Leadership signals new path
The timing of the decision has caught the eye of many, with Everton completing the club-record signing of Zara Kramzar from Roma on the final day of the WSL transfer window.
Although this seemed like a move that reiterated the club’s backing of Sorensen ahead of the January window, it appears the club have opted to act decisively rather than risk being dragged into further trouble.
In a statement, Everton CEO Angus Kinnear said that a “change of direction is necessary”, reflecting a belief that results had failed to match expectations from the club and fans.
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A rebuild without Sorensen
Everton’s Under-18 coach Scott Phelan has been placed in interim charge, with his focus being to simplify the team’s approach, become harder to beat, and turn into a winning team.
Phelan described an “emotional feeling” around the club this week but said that he was encouraged by the “promising moments” that he had seen in training.
The 37-year-old is viewed as a temporary solution, with the search for a long-term successor still ongoing.
However, the squad, coaching staff, and playing identity have all been moulded largely by Sorensen, meaning a new appointment will inherit a team designed for his vision.
Everton’s next steps are also likely to be shaped by both short-term survival and longer-term rebuilding.
Stability in the WSL remains the immediate priority, but it will be interesting to see how busy the club becomes in the summer, when more extensive changes are expected.
Ultimately, with survival still to be secured, Everton’s immediate task is clear: move away from danger, and lay the foundations for a reset on and off the pitch.
