A new presence in the dugout, Amy Merricks will hope to be the woman who can lead Birmingham City back to the Barclays WSL after three seasons away from the top flight.

Merricks was appointed in April 2024 on a three-year contract, replacing Darren Carter, who departed after nearly two and a half seasons at the helm.

At just 31 years of age, she is in the early stages of her managerial career but is already showing vast promise, with encouraging signs coming during her time as England Women’s U19s head coach.

With the Young Lionesses, she helped secure qualification for the second round of the 2024 European Women’s U19 Championship, winning all three of their round one games.

She also has a wealth of experience in club football, spending eight years of her coaching career at Brighton & Hove Albion, where she was made interim manager on three occasions.

During her time with the Seagulls, she spent five years under the tutelage of Hope Powell, who is now Birmingham City’s technical director.