Lionesses of London City: Eder Meister wants players to match his ambition

Eder Maestri has challenged the London City Lionesses to match his ambition after his spell with the Women’s Super League club began with a goalless draw against Liverpool.

The 39-year-old Spaniard was appointed on January 2 following the sacking of Jocelyne Preshore last month.

Precheur was fired on 21 December with London City sitting in sixth place with five wins from their first 11 matches in their WSL debut, but results were not the main factor behind his departure.

Owner Michel Kang wanted a coach capable of implementing a unique style of football – one that was in line with the club’s vision of playing in European competition by 2027.

But Meister’s first match in charge of the team ended in a goalless draw, as neither London City nor its rival Liverpool were able to shoot on goal.

Meister said he “couldn’t identify” the “team I want to see every week” during the game, and urged his team to join his vision.

“I have very ambitious ideas in mind, so I hope I can bring that energy to create a new mentality, a new way of understanding football – energy, attacking, pressing on second balls,” Meister said.

“I don’t like this match, I’m too ambitious. The first half was not enough, we stayed in our own half for most of the match. We improved a lot in the second half but not enough for me.”