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SportsMarieanne Spacey-Cale to step down as Southampton director of women's football
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Marieanne Spacey-Cale, director of women's football at Southampton, has announced she will step down later this year after eight years at the club. She was instrumental in developing the women's and girls' programme and served as first-team coach during back-to-back promotions in 2021 and 2022 that brought the team to WSL 2. She became director of football in 2024. Her departure comes amid reports that Southampton are significantly cutting investment in the women's team, following new licence criteria introduced in 2025 that increased demands on clubs. Several clubs have scaled back women's plans due to these requirements. The announcement also follows the Spygate scandal in May, which saw Southampton kicked out of the Championship play-offs, and last week head coach Tonda Eckert was charged with misconduct by the Football Association.
Source report
Image caption: Marieanne Spacey-Cale is a former Arsenal and England midfielder
By Emma Sanders BBC Sport women’s football news reporter
Southampton director of women's football Marieanne Spacey-Cale will step down this year.
She is considered one of the most significant figures in the women's set-up at Southampton, having been influential in a number of roles since 2018.
Spacey-Cale was involved in the development of the women's and girls' programme and served as first-team coach when Southampton achieved back-to-back promotions in 2021 and 2022 to reach WSL 2.
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to leave Southampton FC after an incredible eight years at the club," said Spacey-Cale, who became director of football in 2024.
It was reported this month that Southampton are "significantly cutting" their investment in the women's team.
A new licence criteria introduced in 2025 for clubs in the top two tiers of English football increased demand on women's clubs. Several clubs have scaled back their women's plans because they could not meet requirements.
There was widespread criticism of the Southampton men's team following the Spygate scandal in May. They were kicked out of the Championship play-offs after admitting spying on three clubs, and last week head coach Tonda Eckert was charged with misconduct by the Football Association.
Related Topics
- Football
- Women's Football
Source
BBC SportWestern
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Marieanne Spacey-Cale to step down as Southampton director of women's football