Lydia Mary Bedford (born 2 September 1987) is an English professional football coach who is the manager of Northern Super League club Calgary Wild FC.

Career

Bedford attended Brunel University of London studying to be a physical education teacher.[1] By her graduation, she had obtained her B Level coaching license and was coaching at the Middlesex Girls Centre of Excellence with the U17s and was also working with the Barnet Ladies senior team, in addition to starting work as a teacher.[1] She obtained her A coaching license in 2014 and began working with the English FA, where she eventually became the coach of the England U15, U16, and U17 women's teams.[1] She earned her UEFA Pro Licence in 2019.[2]

On 30 November 2021, Bedford was named the first team manager of Leicester City Women in the Women's Super League, effecting 6 December, for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.[3] She led Leicester to their first top-flight win in her second match in charge, winning 2–0 over Birmingham City at home.[4] In February 2022, she was named the FA Women's Super League Manager of the Month.[5] In July 2022, after successfully keeping the team in the top division in 2021–22 season, she signed a new two-year deal with Leicester City Women.[6] In November 2022, she was sacked by the club following a string of six consecutive losses.[7]

In February 2023, she joined Arsenal Women as an assistant coach.[8][9] She departed the club in June 2023.[10]

On 1 June 2023 she was appointed as new coach of Brentford U18 men's team, the first woman to coach at the level.[2][11]

In January 2025, Bedford was named the head coach of Canadian club Calgary Wild FC in the Northern Super League.[12]

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c Marsh, Charlotte (12 December 2021). "Leicester Women manager Lydia Bedford on her career, taking over the squad and facing Arsenal Women". Sky Sports.
  2. ^ a b "Lydia Bedford to take over Brentford men's U18s in landmark deal". Sky Sports. 1 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Leicester appoint Lydia Bedford as new manager". BBC Sport. 30 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Leicester City's Lydia Bedford on navigating her first transfer window". The FA Women's Competitions. 18 January 2022.
  5. ^ "February Barclays FA Women's Super League monthly awards". Sky Sports. 3 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Leicester City: Manager Lydia Bedford extends contract until 2024". BBC Sport. 5 July 2022.
  7. ^ Garry, Tom (3 November 2022). "Lydia Bedford sacked as Leicester City head coach". The Daily Telegraph.
  8. ^ Stillman, Tim (24 February 2023). "Lydia Bedford joins Arsenal Women coaching staff". Arseblog.
  9. ^ Pinnock, Hannah (25 February 2023). "Arsenal complete raid for former Leicester City coach Lydia Bedford". Football.london.
  10. ^ "Lydia Bedford leaves coaching set-up". Arsenal F.C. 1 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Lydia Bedford blazes trail for women as new Brentford Under-18s head coach". The Guardian. 1 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Calgary Wild name Bedford team's first head coach". TSN. 3 January 2025.
Allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Bedford
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