Aston Villa have officially appointed Natalia Arroyo as the new head coach of their women’s team, a role she describes as a "dream" opportunity. The 38-year-old Spaniard, who has enjoyed considerable success during her four-year tenure at Real Sociedad, has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, succeeding Robert de Pauw, who was dismissed in December.
Arroyo's first challenge will be a formidable one, as she leads her side into battle against league leaders Chelsea on Sunday, a match that will be broadcast live on BBC Two and iPlayer. Reflecting on her new position, Arroyo conveyed her enthusiasm, stating, "I am excited to be here and to have the opportunity to coach and be a manager in the best league in Europe." She acknowledged the club's ambitions, remarking, "The club has a big history, it is a great project and they are really trying to make the women's team bigger here year after year and that is something that motivates me." With palpable passion, she added, "I crossed my fingers it would happen and it finally happened and it's like a dream come true, but I haven't had time to dream."
While Arroyo is keen to embark on this new journey, she is acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead. "I am excited and I feel prepared but I respect I need to prove that I am prepared," she noted. Currently, the team sits eighth in the Women’s Super League (WSL) standings, having secured only three wins from 12 matches. Under interim manager Shaun Goater, Villa displayed resilience, remaining unbeaten in his first four games before suffering a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City last Sunday. Despite the club's current position, Arroyo expressed confidence in her ability to galvanise the squad.
"We have this challenge to understand our position in the table is not where we want to be," she explained. "Our mission and our goal in these months is to make this gap [with the top teams] shorter. Not in terms of points, but feeling we can really compete with them in every game." She was realistic about the team's immediate prospects, stating, "We won't win the league, we need to accept that. We are too far away, but to really believe whatever we start building today will help us be strong tomorrow and in the future."
During her time at Real Sociedad, Arroyo achieved significant milestones, including a second-place finish in Liga F, which secured the club's place in the Women's Champions League, and a Copa de la Reina final appearance against Barcelona.
On her tactical philosophy, Arroyo remarked, "The style that Carla [Ward], Robert [De Pauw] and Shaun [Goater] tried to put to the team matches quite well with the ideas that I have." Acknowledging the complexities of stepping into the role mid-season, she commented, "I understand that coming at the end of January is not the best time to really build some difficult things. It will be an energy thing first and then a tactical dimension to be as brave as possible in possession and out of possession."
Arroyo aims to instil a proactive style within her team, focusing on possession and purposeful play. "Hopefully we can see a team that wants to have the ball, that has clear intentions with the ball, to score as many goals as possible and when we don't have the ball to press as aggressively and as high as possible," she stated.
As reported by the BBC, Arroyo's arrival at Aston Villa heralds a new chapter for the club as they seek to enhance their performance and aspirations within the competitive landscape of the Women’s Super League. With her proven track record and clear vision, there is a sense of optimism surrounding Villa's future under her stewardship.