West Ham head coach Rehanne Skinner has warned that the mental health of managers is a ‘huge concern’ in women’s football.
She has called for better support and investment in mental health resources for Women’s Super League coaches, saying pressure and burnout are at record levels.
What did Rehanne Skinner say about mental health in women’s football?
Skinner has spent more than two decades in football, with roles at Leicester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham, as well as time coaching for Wales and England.
She has seen the women’s game grow rapidly but says that progress has also brought intense pressure, with the mental health of managers a ‘huge concern’.
“There has definitely been highs and lows in my career. There has been so much growth in the game but the demands on managers are at the highest they have ever been, and the resources, support and expectation often doesn’t match,” Skinner told the BBC.
“When that culminates in being sacked it definitely makes you question everything. It’s human nature to question your methods and it can knock your confidence. You also worry about the financial implications on your family.
“The role can move you all over the world, so partners are often changing jobs to support you. It’s a massive commitment that people don’t talk about.”
Skinner’s reflections follow the death of former Liverpool manager Matt Beard and highlight the ongoing conversation about mental health within football. She says there are few safe spaces for managers to discuss their well-being.
She also argued that mental wellbeing should be treated as a key part of performance rather than an afterthought.
Change needed at every level
For Skinner, support structures across women’s football are inconsistent and underfunded. Many WSL managers work on short-term contracts, often with limited staff and resources, while expectations continue to grow.
She believes the League Managers’ Association (LMA) plays an important role but says more investment is needed to provide proper mental health support.
“It’s a huge concern. Most of the time, managers will talk to other managers because outwardly, where you go for that support, is really difficult,” she said.
Skinner has worked with the LMA on studies aimed at improving well-being for WSL coaches. One of her suggestions is to introduce external mentors who can work with groups of managers and teach practical mental health tools.
“It would become a trained activity to support mental health and your performance, rather than ad-hoc courses for education,” she said. “The only way to do it is by investing money into it.”
What’s next for West Ham?
West Ham are pointless in the WSL and will be huge underdogs when they face Manchester City on Saturday.
Stats show that West Ham are the biggest underachievers in the WSL, when it comes to the goals they have scored against their xG (expected goals).
