Lydia Bedford makes a historic move from Arsenal Women’s setup to coach Brentford’s U18 men’s team.

• Lydia Bedford, assistant coach to Jonas Eidevall at Arsenal Women, moves to Brentford to coach their men’s U18 team.
• Bedford, formerly in charge of Barclays Women’s Super League club Leicester City, makes a historic leap for women’s coaching in football.
• Bedford will join Jon-Paul Pittman from Forest Green Rovers, announced Phil Giles, Brentford’s director of football.

In a milestone for women’s coaching in English football, Lydia Bedford, assistant coach to Jonas Eidevall at Arsenal Women, is moving to Brentford’s U18 men’s team as head coach.

This is a historic moment for the women’s game as no female coach has ever managed a men’s professional side in England.

Before joining Arsenal in February 2023, Bedford was in charge of Leicester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Her departure from Arsenal signals a new chapter in her coaching career, while also marking a significant loss for the Gunners’ coaching setup.

Brentford’s director of football, Phil Giles, expressed his enthusiasm about Bedford’s appointment, stating, “We’re really pleased that we’ve managed to attract such talented coaches as Lydia and Jon-Paul to our U18 team for next year.”

Bedford will be working alongside Jon-Paul Pittman, who will join the coaching staff at Brentford from Forest Green Rovers.

Everyone at Arsenal expressed their gratitude to Lydia for her efforts and wished her success in her new role at Brentford.

Bedford, who started her coaching career in 2008, earned her UEFA Pro Licence in 2019. She has previously managed England women’s sides at various levels, showcasing her wealth of experience and dedication to the sport.

With this groundbreaking move, Bedford’s contribution to Arsenal and her subsequent journey to Brentford have become a beacon for female coaches looking to make their mark in men’s professional football.