Dutchman De Pauw emerges as candidate for Villa job

Former Bayer Leverkusen Women's caput coach Robert de Pauw has emerged arsenic a campaigner for nan vacant Aston Villa job.

The Women's Super League nine person been without a head since Carla Ward stepped down from her role astatine nan extremity of nan season.

Villa are believed to beryllium successful nan precocious stages of appointing a caller manager, and while Icelandic coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir was antecedently connected nan shortlist it is believed she is nary longer being considered.

Dutchman De Pauw, 42, spent 2 seasons astatine Leverkusen but near astatine nan extremity of nan 2023-24 campaign.

Bristol City caput coach Lauren Smith, who oversaw their promotion to nan WSL successful 2023 and their relegation successful 2024, was besides believed to person been considered.

Villa were seventh successful nan WSL past play having vanished successful a club-record precocious of 5th spot successful 2022-23.