Men Still Outnumber Women Managers At Women’s World Cup

Spain is 1.82 to beat England on Sunday at BetMGM Sportsbook

Spain and England both are at 1.91 to win on Sunday at DraftKings Sportsbook

If case you haven’t heard the news, the U.S. women’s national soccer team is looking for a new manager following the resignation Thursday of Vlatko Andonovski.

Twila Kilgore steps in as interim coach. Kilgore served as Andonovski’s assistant for over a year and is the first American-born woman to earn U.S. Soccer’s top-level Pro Coaching License. She accomplished that in 2021.

‘Optimistic For The Future’

The U.S. team was knocked out of the Women’s World Cup in the round of 16 on Aug. 6 by Sweden, their earliest departure ever for the team in the tournament. (They’ve won it four times.)

So there’s still a lot of bitterness and self-reflection going on in the women’s program.

“I’m very optimistic for the future of this program, especially considering all the young players that got opportunities over the past few years who will no doubt be leaders and impact players moving forward,” Andonovski said in a statement. “While we are all disappointed by the outcome at this year’s World Cup, I am immensely proud of the progress this team has made, the support they’ve shown for each other, and the inspiration they’ve provided for players around the world.”

Male, Female Managers Square Off Sunday

And speaking of Andonovski and the Women’s World Cup, the number of male versus female managers in the tournament has been noticeable.

Kilgore’s appointment, even as an interim replacement, evens things up a little on the national team front, but men still far outnumber women — 20 male managers going into the World Cup compared to 12 women.

Sunday’s final between England and Spain features a man and a woman in the manager roles – Jorge Vilda for Spain and Sarina Wiegman-Glotzbach for England.

Globally, this matchup promises to generate interest in soccer betting heading into the match.  

More Than 700 Women Competed In Tournament

Since the tournament began, soccer fans have witnessed 736 of the world’s best female footballers seeking the cup title, from 32 teams.

Nigeria’s 40-year-old defender Onome Ebi was the oldest participant in the tournament, the first female or male African player to play in six World Cups.

Ebi played in two of her team’s four games. Canada’s Christine Sinclair was next oldest, also 40 (one month younger than Ebi).

Canada was unable emerge from Group B, with a 1-1-1 record. Sinclair played in all three games. Neither Ebi nor Sinclair scored or had any assists.

Betting Odds

The final is Sunday at Stadium Australia in Sydney between England and Spain, with anticipation running high that live betting could set records.

On Sunday, Gen-Zers Alessia Russo, 24 (three goals in the tournament), Lauren Hemp, 23 (three goals), and Lauren James, 21 (three goals), lead the England squad.

The Spanish team is paced by Jennifer Hermoso, 33, Aitana Bonmati, 25, and Alba Redondo, 26 (also three goals apiece).

Currently, BetMGM Sportsbook has Spain to win at 1.82, England at 1.95. 

Also, DraftKings Sportsbook has the winner split at England 1.91 and Spain 1.91.