London City Lionesses announce ambitious plan to become best women's football team in England
London City Lionesses have appointed former Paris Saint-Germain women's boss Jocelyn Precheur and will overhaul their newly-purchased training ground as part of owner Michele Kang's ambitions to transform the Women's Championship side into the best women's team in England.
American businesswoman Kang, 65, is considered a trailblazing tycoon, the first in the women's game to establish a multi-club ownership portfolio that also includes National Women's Super League side Washington Spirit and perennial Champions League finalists Olympique Lyonnais Feminin.
The Lionesses, who also announced the notable signing of Sweden international Kosovare Asllani, believe that by acquiring their previously-rented 23-acre Kent site, they have become the only independent women's club in the country with their own exclusive training ground.
Kang, who took over the Lionesses in December, said: "We had to work on from the players to head coach, staff and training centre and the stadium. To be the best football team in England we need the best players, and we have worked very hard to recruit players that would help us not only get promoted but to stay up, and have the aspiration to win the WSL trophy.
"Our goal is to make every team (Lyon, Spirit and the Lionesses) the champion in each of the leagues. We're going to do everything in our power to be the champion in the WSL."
Precheur, who has agreed a three-year contract, leaves PSG after one season where he led the side to a Coupe de France trophy and the Champions League semi-finals in 2023-24.
The 42-year-old Frenchman, who will be supported by a "significant" boost in support staff to replicate numbers at Kang's other clubs, confirmed "our ambition is to get promoted in the first season."
Initial upgrades to the training ground will take place ahead of the upcoming campaign, with plans to ultimately transform the site into a world-class facility specifically tailored to the needs of female athletes.
London City have also relocated all of their home fixtures to Bromley's Hayes Lane home as part of a new stadium-sharing agreement with the League Two side.
Asllani, who will officially join London City Lionesses after the expiry of her contract with AC Milan on Sunday, will wear the number nine shirt for her new club. The 34-year-old is a 187-cap international for Sweden, and was a Women's Super League champion with Manchester City in 2016.
Though Asllani admits she was "a little bit terrified" to join a second division side, she revealed Kang had her convinced after their first meeting.
Asllani said: "She is investing. She's someone who doesn't just talk but is someone that is doing something, which I think is the biggest difference. She won't be, we won't be satisfied until we're in the first league and until we win it."
