City’s Golden Reign: A Decade of Waiting Ends in Glory

Published: 07 May 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The sight of Rebecca Knaak fighting back tears on hearing the full-time whistle last Sunday summed up what this means. The Manchester City defender had sustained a painful shoulder injury during a victory over Liverpool snatched by her late header. She probably had her own reasons for finding the combination of relief, soreness and joy a little overwhelming. But her emotions could have been felt by any of the longer-serving season-ticket holders in the stands. This loyal group has endured a decade-long wait for a Women’s Super League title to return home.

When City lifted this trophy in 2016, the landscape of the English women’s game was wholly different. The club, then managed by Nick Cushing, completed the 16-game campaign unbeaten and clinched the league title. They deployed a starting eleven featuring nine English and two Scottish players from a very local squad. It was a time before the wider, full-time professionalism of the league and the overseas talent influx. Their class of 2026 features players from fifteen nations and eight countries were represented against Liverpool. The way the squad has come together as a true team has defined their incredible season.

It is understood one of the key priorities last summer was to emphasise a unified group effort. This strategy has worked perfectly as the team showed immense spirit throughout the long winter months. One source close to the squad told reporters that there are no whiners in this group. Another expressed a view that this was the most together City team seen in this era. Much of that culture can be credited to the off-pitch standards set by captain Alex Greenwood. The England defender became a first-time WSL champion at the seasoned age of thirty-two years old.

Head coach Andrée Jeglertz also deserves massive credit for his relatively calm and composed dugout demeanour. His unwavering belief that this team can win has helped bring an element of much-needed reassurance. Of course, being unified is always easier when you are winning games in such dominant fashion. City have been on a charge since coming from a goal down to beat Brighton recently. They avoided starting with two defeats after losing narrowly at Chelsea on the opening night of play. Principally, they have won the league because they have scored by far the most goals this term.

They averaged 2.8 goals a game which is fifteen more than last season’s champions, Chelsea, tallied. The top three players in the league for goal contributions this season all play for Manchester City. Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, Vivianne Miedema and Kerolin have been the most productive players in the entire country. Nineteen of City’s fifty-eight goals have been scored by Shaw, who has been the undisputed star. The focal point of the attack, she has looked unstoppable and will be player of the season. City have also had great weapons down the flanks with England winger Lauren Hemp on one side.

Netherlands right-back Kerstin Casparij has also been surging forward on the other side with great effect. They are lethal from set pieces, aided by the deliveries from the ever-reliable captain Alex Greenwood. Her career total of nineteen WSL assists from set pieces is a remarkable new competition record. Peerless home form has also been integral to their success over the course of the season. City won all eleven WSL home games, becoming the third team to end with a perfect record. Jeglertz has often referred to the Joie Stadium as their castle during his various press conferences.

The Swede, who coached Umeå to a European title in 2004, spoke about finding a way. He wants his side to win even if they have not always played their prettiest football. This philosophy has borne fruit, as their determination and drive late in games have helped clinch points. They have scored the winning goal in league games in the final fifteen minutes six times. Four of those crucial goals came beyond the eighty-fifth minute to rescue vital points for the side. They have also come from behind to win twice, showing the mental strength of the current squad.

The campaign’s key moments include October’s 3-2 win at home to Arsenal when Iman Beney scored late. Her strike won an enthralling game and sparked a comeback victory at Anfield only a week later. January brought a late winner from Shaw that settled a testing game at London City Lionesses’ ground. Then came the victory symbolic of this season’s changing of the guard against the London rivals, Chelsea. They tore Chelsea apart in a 5-1 win at the Etihad Stadium back in February this year. They rarely looked like letting their lead slip after that despite a small wobble in April lately.

They lost at Brighton in April, making last Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool extra tense for the fans. Knaak’s stoppage-time header eventually settled the nerves and secured the points needed for the historic title. They also enjoyed emphatic, statement victories against local rivals Manchester United during the heat of the race. City won both league derbies 3-0, first in mid-November at the Etihad in front of many fans. They were so dominant they stopped United registering an effort on target during the whole ninety minutes. March’s win at Old Trafford similarly demonstrated the widening gap between the two professional Manchester sides.

Miedema scored twice inside the first twenty minutes on a day when Jeglertz’s team oozed total confidence. Those derbies were in the middle of pairs of midweek Champions League games for Manchester United. This schedule exemplifies how City benefited, domestically, from not being involved in any European competition this year. City have been the WSL’s best team but fine margins often settle these very close games. That extra rest has been key to keeping their best players fit for the Sunday league games. They had their fair share of misfortune with injuries but have been able to cope much better.

The title win brings a place in the league phase of the Champions League next autumn season. Next season the advantage for sides not playing in Europe could be reduced by new rule changes. For the first time, the League Cup group-stage games are to be on the same midweek nights. This is to maintain consistency as those in Europe will not be in the League Cup groups. It will now be fascinating to see whether City can be competitive in the latter European stages. The Champions League is a prestigious competition that the Manchester club has never won in its history.

For now, they can savour this moment, which has been a long time coming for the club. They have finished second in the WSL six times since 2016, including once on goal difference recently. In the campaign curtailed by the pandemic, City accumulated more points than the eventual champions, Chelsea. They missed out on points-per-game metrics which was a very bitter pill for the players to swallow. Now it is finally their time to hold the trophy aloft in front of their home supporters. Their celebrations will no doubt befit the long wait they have endured to reach the very top.

Check our latest news