Lehane Skinner has left West Ham Women with “immediate effect” following a poor start to the new WSL season.
The Hammers are currently 11th in the table with five points and have only won once in the WSL this season. They drew 2-2 on Sunday with Liverpool, the only team below them.
Skinner joined the club in the summer of 2023 as the first female head coach of a women’s team in the WSL era.
In his first year in charge, the former Tottenham manager helped West Ham stay in the league, finishing 11th with 15 points.
A number of metrics improved under Skinner last season, with the Hammers improving in the league standings, finishing ninth in the league with 23 points.
However, they have struggled to follow up this year, bringing an end to Skinner’s two-and-a-half year tenure at the club.
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“Recent results have not been in line with expectations and the board believes that changes are necessary to improve the team’s standing in the WSL as quickly as possible,” the club added in a statement.
“The board would like to thank Lehanne for her hard work and dedication during her time with the Hammers and wish her every success in the future.
“The process of recruiting a new head coach for the women’s team is underway. The club will not be making any further comment at this time.”
“I felt it was only a matter of time before West Ham changed.”
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh:
“Given how the WSL has fared so far this season, it felt like it was only a matter of time before West Ham made a change.
“They are not a positively backward club when it comes to managerial changes and it appears that any goodwill Skinner may have accumulated over the past two years has finally run out.
“There were positive signs last season, with West Ham improving both in attack and defence, making their home in Dagenham a difficult place for any team to visit.
“Skinner also had big contracts, with Christy Mewis and Katrina Gorey joining in January 2024, as well as Shelina Zadorski, who worked with the head coach at Tottenham.
“Goalkeeper Kinga Shemik and striker Shekiela Martinez, very important players at both ends of the pitch, were also signed under Skinner.
“However, things have not gone well so far in the 2025/26 season. West Ham have produced results against the teams around them in recent games – a draw against Leicester, a draw against Liverpool and a win against Everton, for example – but more needs to be done if the Hammers are to avoid relegation.
“Skinner’s departure comes ahead of West Ham’s League Cup quarter-final clash with in-form Manchester City on Sunday. It was already set to be a big test for the Hammers, but it has now become even more difficult.”
