Aberdeen have landed South Korean national women’s team manager Colin Bell – a Champions League-winning boss – as their new women’s gaffer.
The 62-year-old former Leicester City player fills the void left by Clint Lancaster’s departure at the end of last season.
In the men’s game, Bell has managed German sides TuS Koblenz, Dynamo Dresden, SV Waldhof Mannheim and SC Preußen Münster, while also coaching at FC Koln and running the under-23s side at 1. FSV Mainz 05 under future superstar boss Jurgen Klopp.
Moving into women’s football, Bell served as head coach at Bundesliga outfit SC 07 Bad Neuenahr, before leading 1. FFC Frankfurt to the 2014 German Women’s Cup and then the 2015 Uefa Women’s Champions League.
His roles in the years since have included Republic of Ireland women’s boss and assistant head coach at English Premier League Huddersfield Town.
Having exited his role with Korea – who he took to the 2023 Women’s World Cup – to lead the Dons Women in the SWPL next term, Bell said: “I’m really excited to be here and I’m looking forward to getting down to work.
“I was searching for a new challenge and I think Aberdeen has huge potential.
“I want to help build something and be part of the vision the club has for its women’s programme.
“There is work to do, but there are strong foundations to build on and I believe we can achieve real success here.”
Bell to build Dons Women using ‘vast networks’
Aberdeen director of football Steven Gunn said: “Following a very thorough process, with some top-quality candidates, we’re delighted to welcome Colin to Aberdeen.
“He brings a vast amount of experience in women’s football, and his arrival is a sign of our intent for the development of our programme.
“Colin’s immediate priority will be to build the team, promoting emerging talent from the girls’ academy and utilising his vast network across the UK and beyond.
“We now look forward to the challenges of the season ahead.”
Bayley Hutchison, Eilidh Shore and more exit Aberdeen Women
Earlier on Wednesday, it was announced Aberdeen Women striker Bayley Hutchison, the SWPL’s leading scorer last season, and four-time players’ player of the year Eilidh Shore quit the club.
Defender Jessica Broadrick has rejected a contract extension with the three players heading up a list of seven players departing the club.
Hutchison has opted to pursue an opportunity to play full-time at another club while Shore and Broadrick have both opted to move on.
All three have been virtual ever-presents for the club since its formation in 2019 and played key roles in the club winning back-to-back promotion from the SWFL Division 1 North to the SWPL.
Prolific striker Hutchison has been the team’s main threat, scoring a remarkable 118 goals in 141 appearances and has also played for her country at youth level.
Shore, one of the first group of five players to sign semi-professional terms in 2022, scored 47 goals in 145 appearances for the Dons and was recently capped by Scotland at under-23 level.
Broadrick who moved from AFC Ladies’ under-19s National Performance League team in 2019, is a Scottish youth international and scored eight goals in 124 games.
Also departing the club are Emma Lawson, who is moving to Edinburgh to continue her studies, captain Nadine Hanssen, partner of former Dons goalkeeper Kelle Roos, Adele Lindbaek and Keeley Banfield.
Talks are continuing with three other players – Francesca Ogilvie, Lois Edwards and Jen Currie – who have been offered new deals by the club.
The fixtures for the new SWPL season will be announced at 3pm on Thursday.
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