Utah Royals FC have found themselves struggling during the 2025 NWSL season, often performing below expectations and finishing near the bottom. To turn their fortunes around and improve performances, this Salt Lake metropolitan team decided to implement major structural changes within their club – most significantly hiring Harvey Bussell who previously served on Manchester United staff as player development coach.
Bussell will depart his role with Manchester United shortly to assume an equivalent one with Utah Royals. Bussell began his football management journey by joining Manchester United from Millwall as talent scout before being promoted into head of player recruitment position by June 2023. Now with summer transfer window nearing a close, Bussell hopes his transition can help lift them from last place within their division.
Bussell was instrumental in Manchester United acquiring several high-profile players during his time there, such as Swedish midfielder Julia Zigiotti Olme, Brazilian forward Geyse, Japanese goalkeeper Hinata Miyazawa, World Cup-winner Irene Guerrero, England forward Gabby George, United Women National Team Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Netherlands Dominique Janssen’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce Phallon TullisJoyce Phallon TullisJoyce Phallon TullisJoyce Phallon Tullis-Joyce Phallon TullisJoyce Phallon Tullis-Joyce Phallon TullisJoyce Phallon TullisJoyce France’s Melvine Malard along with Canada Simi Awujo and Wales’ Gemm Evans have all since left their respective clubs; these significant signings included former captain Katie Zelem, ex-England Goalkeeper Mary Earps as well as Spain Lucia Garcia among many other notable names have since left Manchester United since signings like Geyse, Guerrero and Evans have left since leaving Manchester United as have former players like Geyse, Guerrero as former Captain Katie Zelem and others including former England Goalkeeper Mary Earps as former England goalkeeper Mary Earps; along with former captain Katie Zelem, former captain Katie Zelem, ex defender Katie Zelem, ex England Goalkeeper Mary Earps as well as Spain Lucia Garcia who have left due to various other reasons like former England goalkeeper Mary Earps former England goalkeeper Mary Earps have since gone elsewhere departed to pursue other opportunities; others such as Geys, Guerrero as others like former England goalkeeper Mary Earps have left as former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, Earps former goalkeeper Mary Earps former England Goalkeeper Mary Earps with former English Goalkeeper Mary Earps also has Mary Earps former England goalkeeper Mary Earps departure among others leaving Spain’s Luci Garcia had already left also leaving as ex England goalkeeper Mary Earps departure also departure too later than planned having made similar reasons left as other left before leaving them later than expected or expected, Mary Earps leave since leaving. Garcia. Garcia. Garcia left. a Garcia’s exit as well. re before later leaving them having left. Earps then also leaving also leaving before before also depart from England goalkeeper Mary Earps; ex England goalkeeper Mary Ears departure since leaving. and Spain also former England goalkeeper Mary Earps also having gone. Spain who left as former goalkeeper Mary Earps departure having also left her later leaving and Garcia all joined Spain or Spanish Luci Garcia among many more recent departure. Garcia among them leaving all depart. Garcia etc leaving. Garcia leaving Spain. departed..
Bussell’s appointment as coach of the Utah Royals marks an ambitious move by their club, signalling their dedication to improving both squad performance and overall NWSL success. Both their organization and fans anticipate how his expertise in player recruitment could play a pivotal role in changing fortunes for this championship team.