Tanya Oxtoby: Bristol City’s history-making young coach

Much is made of the psychology of football management – getting the best out of your players, knowing which buttons to press and understanding how to deal with difficult characters.

But how many bosses are actually qualified to cope with all of the above?

That’s where Bristol City Women manager Tanya Oxtoby is different to most.

The 36-year-old used to work as a full-time psychologist, having graduated from the University of Western Australia – and now she’s bringing those skills to the Women’s Super League.

“It’s something that makes you very conscious of how you communicate,” said Oxtoby, who last week went down in history as the WSL’s first manager of the month following an unbeaten start to the season.

“I studied psychology, [originally] as a three-year degree, although it took me five years because of the travelling for football and things like that, but it was definitely all worth it.

“It was difficult, but I’m really glad someone pushed me to do it. It helps me in my football now.

“It’s about watching body language, all of that kind of thing. It’s a massive part of the game now at any level, and having a background in that area really helps, especially in pressure situations.

“It gives you a skill-set to fall back on.”

Just like Oxtoby’s path into football management, Bristol City’s start to the season has been somewhat unexpected.

As they lined up for their first home league game of the season against defending champions Chelsea and fielded a matchday squad with an average age of 21, including eight teenagers, few neutrals could imagine City battling to a draw.

Nor did many onlookers predict they would play out an entertaining 2-2 draw at another Women’s Super League title contender, Manchester City, four days later.

But those performances, plus a 1-0 win at newly-promoted Brighton, were rewarded with a brace of September awards for a club that has entered a new era this season.