We are delighted to announce the appointment of Melissa Phillips as our new women’s first-team head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
The 35-year-old American has agreed a deal with the club that will keep her on the south coast until June 2025.
Melissa brings a wealth of experience and deep understanding of the women’s game having previously coached Angel City, London City Lionesses, University of Pennsylvania, University of San Francisco and California State Bakersfield.
While head coach at London City Lionesses, she took the team to the top of the Barclays Women’s Championship this season before departing in January to join Angel City in a coaching role.
Melissa expressed her excitement at joining Albion as the team prepares for an important run-in in the Women's Super League, after the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United a week on Saturday.
She said, “I’m excited to be here and eager to get started. It’s an amazing feeling to join this club and I’m looking forward to working with the team.
“I had positive talks with the club, and I knew it was the right decision to return to England. I am fully aware of our position, but confident we can grow and move up the table.”
Women’s chair Michelle Walder said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Melissa as our new head coach of the women’s first team. She has a strong knowledge of the game, alongside some key experience to help us climb the table.
“Amy Merricks has done a fantastic job under challenging circumstances in recent weeks, which has allowed us to go through a thorough process to bring in Melissa. Thanks to Amy, Perry Northeast and the rest of the team we eagerly look forward to our FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.”
Women and girls’ managing director Zoe Johnson added, “We are really looking forward to starting work with Melissa, helping her settle in and supporting her in some very immediate short-term aims with the forthcoming cup and league matches.”