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Sunday, January 11, 2026

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Arsenal appoint Jodie Taylor as Technical Director

Arsenal are delighted to announce that Jodie Taylor has been appointed Arsenal Women Technical Director.

Jodie enjoyed two spells with us as a player, scoring 10 goals in 17 appearances between 2016 and 2017, before rejoining on a short term deal in March 2023.

After retiring from the professional game in September 2023, Jodie joined the Gunners’ technical set up and played an important role in shaping the direction of the women’s first team in her previous role as Technical Services Manager.

“I’m immensely proud to step into the role of Technical Director,” said Jodie. “It’s 10 years since I first joined Arsenal as a player, and the progress and growth of the club since that time has been remarkable.

"Building on the strong foundations already in place, we want to nurture a high-performance environment where our players, Renée and wider staff have the right tools and the best possible environment to deliver at the highest level.”

Director of Women’s Football, Clare Wheatley, said: “We’re thrilled to appoint Jodie as our first Technical Director. This role will be integral to the continued development of our team, as we push to challenge to win major trophies consistently.

"Jodie has already made a huge contribution to our environment here and will continue to drive progress in her new role. Jodie knows the club so well, and we’re proud to continue to have our former players still working with us and further support the growth of our game.”

Arsenal were further boosted by the news that head coach Renée Slegers has signed a new long term contract with the club until 2029.

Renée was appointed head coach on a permanent basis in January 2025 and led the Gunnrs to a historic UEFA Women’s Champions League victory four months later.

The 36-year-old Dutchwoman has been at the club since the summer of 2023, when she joined as assistant coach, following a two-year spell in charge of Rosengard. There, she’d won back-to-back Swedish league titles in 2021 and 2022.  

Renée became interim head coach at Arsenal in October 2024 and oversaw an 11-match unbeaten run before being appointed on a permanent basis. They ended the 2024-25 season in second place in the Barclays Women’s Super League – their highest finish in three years – and remain unbeaten at home in the WSL under Renée.

Renée masterminded a thrilling run in the UEFA Women’s Champions League last season, as they defeated Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and eight-time winners OL Lyonnes on the way to the final in Lisbon in May 2025. In front of nearly 5,000 Arsenal supporters at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, they defeated reigning champions FC Barcelona 1-0 to lift the trophy and deliver a moment of history for the club.

“From playing in the academy and being in the stands watching Arsenal win the Champions League in 2007, to living it with our players, staff and supporters last summer, I’m immensely proud to have shared this journey with Arsenal, a club that means so much to me and to so many people,” said Renée.

“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract here, as I believe we have so much to achieve together – this season and in the years to come. I’d like to show my gratitude to our supporters for the incredible backing you give us, whether it’s at Emirates Stadium, Meadow Park or on the road. We hear it, we see it and we feel it every day.”

Arsenal have also announced that two of their players - Jenna Nighswonger and Jessie Gale - will join Aston Villa and Bristol City respectively on loan for the remainder of the season.

Quotes are courtesy of www.arsenal.com.