Bolton Wanderers Women can confirm that Assistant Manager Carl Halliwell will step away from his duties at first team level to focus on his role managing the youth pathway of women’s football at the club.
Also as part of Carl’s role, he will take up the position of the Women’s B Team Head Coach, helping to form a fluid and transitional pathway to help create opportunities for players to work their way into the first team environment in years to come.
With over a decade of experience in women’s football, Carl has played an integral part in creating a pathway for girls in Bolton to play football in his role as Head of Female Football within Bolton Wanderers in the Community.
After confirmation of the women’s team being integrated into club operations ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season, Carl took on the role of Assistant Manager to work alongside incoming Manager Myles Smith with the aim of securing promotion within the first year.
Alongside the rest of the coaching team, Carl helped to guide Wanderers Women to a magnificent league and cup double as the Whites now make the step up to Tier 5 of the pyramid for the 2025/26 season.
With the position of women’s football within the Club at a crucial stage, Carl will now refine his role to ensure that the trajectory continues in an upward sense moving forward.
Carl Halliwell said: “This decision is one that I haven’t taken lightly, but it is something that I feel is necessary and beneficial for all involved.
“Personally, stepping away from the assistant manager’s role - whilst being an incredibly tough decision - is needed for myself to focus on the exciting pathway that we have building below first team level.
“From our Women's B Team downwards, we have seen incredible success in terms of league titles won and cup triumphs this season - emphasising the talent and potential that we have coming through our system.
“So therefore, by stepping away from the first team environment and refining my role ahead of next season, we can ensure that the route to the first team remains strong whilst nurturing the players of the future.”
Myles Smith, Women’s First Team Manager, said: “Firstly, I’d like to place on record my thanks - both personally and collectively on behalf of the first team squad - to Carl for his efforts in helping us to achieve something special this season.
“But not only that, the work that has been undertaken before my arrival to give women’s football a platform within the Club and Bolton Wanderers in the Community has been outstanding, and Carl has played a huge part in helping to create that.
“Whilst being sad at losing Carl at first team level, I understand his viewpoint of wanting to help form a pathway that will only help to supplement what we are trying to build and grow. I look forward to working with him moving forward.”
In further staffing changes at first team level, Wanderers Women can also confirm that Giuseppe Emma will depart his role as Goalkeeping Coach following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
Giuseppe arrived at the club ahead of the start of last season, working with the first team ‘keepers to help form a solid base within Wanderers’ backline, achieving 11 clean sheets across the campaign to contribute to the double-winning success.
Wanderers Women would like to thank both Carl and Giuseppe for their efforts with the first team this season. An update will follow in due course for the coaching setup moving forward once the relevant appointments have been made.