‘Obsessed with winning trophies’ – Manchester City’s interim boss Cushing motivated by League Cup challenge | OneFootball

Manchester City’s interim head coach Nick Cushing says that he has been obsessed with winning trophies ever since he guided the team to a first Women’s League Cup success in 2014.

Cushing returned to the club earlier this week to fill the vacancy left by former Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor’s departure. The 40-year-old will initially take charge of the team on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Cushing’s first game since returning sees Manchester City face Chelsea in the 2024/2025 Subway Women’s League Cup final this weekend. When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Cushing explained that Manchester City’s first Women’s League Cup success 11 years ago sparked a trophy obsession on a personal level.

“It’s a good challenge,” Cushing said. “We are playing against the best team in the league, we are playing in an amazing stadium with the opportunity to win. This cup was my first trophy in 2014 and since that moment, I’ve been obsessed with winning trophies. To have the opportunity to win another one with the group and for this organisation is enough motivation.

“I spent seven amazing years here previously, fighting for trophies and trying to create a team that Manchester City fans can be proud of.”

Reflecting on his initial spell in charge, Cushing admits that previous title failures disappoint him but there is no time to dwell on the past, his focus is on the here and now.

He said “One of my biggest regrets was that we didn’t win more leagues but that was down to the fact that Emma’s [Hayes] teams were top level and this Chelsea team is no different. You can see with the points that they have at the top of the league, with their form, that this is going to be an incredibly difficult game on Saturday. We know that we play them four times but we have to focus on Saturday’s game.

“What went on in the past, went on in the past, this is a different Manchester City team and it’s a different Chelsea team, so we just have to focus on looking forward.”

Cushing left Manchester City in 2020 with a glowing reputation and many former players have spoken fondly about their time working under his leadership. Cushing says that the opportunity to return was too good to turn down and that the latest group of players are just as special as the club’s former stars.

He said “Going over to New York, representing the group and leading the team there was an amazing experience and an amazing challenge, it developed me in many ways.

“Having the opportunity to come back for our organisation and try and build a winning team, continue the great work that has been done here [is great]. The most amazing thing about our organisation is the people here. The previous teams that I’ve had with Nikita [Parris], Keira [Walsh], Steph [Houghton], they were great people. I met the team this week and they were exactly the same; the girls in there are really good people with a real hunger to continue to win.”

The 2024/2025 Subway Women’s League Cup final kicks-off at 12.15pm on Saturday afternoon. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.