Between 2020 and 2023, Skinner lived away from her partner to manage Spurs. She felt “burned out” by the time of her dismissal.
While Premier League managers often have multiple members of support staff, a lucrative financial package when they join, and longer, secure contracts with better pay-out clauses, that is not often the case in the WSL.
Managers could be expected to move homes, quit full-time jobs and temporarily leave their partners, despite only being offered an 18-month contract.
They often take on a host of responsibilities, with few senior staff at women’s clubs, placing more stress on them to recruit players in the transfer window, for example.
Their average salaries, while undisclosed, are believed to be around £70,000 – although that figure is skewed by a few abnormally high wages at wealthier clubs.
At international level, Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman is reportedly on an annual salary of £400,000, plus performance-related bonuses, while men’s manager Thomas Tuchel earns £5m per year.
The reality, therefore, is that they cannot afford to be out of work for long.
Ex-Manchester United manager Casey Stoney was sacked as head coach of American club San Diego Wave while she had temporarily returned to England for a funeral. She, and her family, were unable to return to their California home as their visas had been terminated.
“There’s pressure on every game, and scrutiny of what you’re doing with little understanding of what goes on behind the scenes – the lack of infrastructure, number of staff and player availability,” added Skinner.
“A lot of clubs don’t have strong senior staff because of the lack of resourcing so that requires more from the manager. What you are paid doesn’t match up to the expectations.
“It was hard for me when I left Tottenham because of the amount I personally invested in it. When you look back, you think to yourself, ‘I’m not sure why I did that?’
“You’re on your own a lot and it’s a lonely place to be.”
Discover more from 6up.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.