Bedford joins Canadian side Calgary Wild

Lydia Bedford helped Leicester City avoid relegation from the Women's Super League in 2022

Former Leicester City women's manager Lydia Bedford has become head coach at Calgary Wild, one of six teams forming the Northern Super League in Canada.

Bedford had been in charge of Brentford's under-18s men's team and spent the summer with England's under-19s squad at the Women's European Championship.

Canada's new NSL is set to kick-off in April and will become the top tier of women's football in the country.

The league is owned and operated by Project 8 - co-founded by former Canada international Diana Matheson.

Calgary Wild will join Halifax Tides, Montreal Roses, AFC Toronto, Ottawa Rapid and Vancouver Rise in the six-team division.

Bedford managed Leicester for just under a year after being appointed in late 2021, helping them avoid relegation from the Women's Super League (WSL).

She then served Arsenal women's assistant manager before becoming the first woman to hold a coaching position at a Premier League club.

"It is an honour to be named as the first coach of Calgary Wild in its inaugural season," said the 37-year-old.

"There's something special about being there from the start and it's certainly going to be an exciting journey here with Calgary.

"Fans will see a style of football that evolves across the season. We want to play an exciting style of football which is enjoyable to watch. We will be a gritty and hard-working team without the ball, and look to utilise our team strengths on the ball to assert ourselves on the opponent."

Brentford academy director Stephen Torpey said: "Her hard work and commitment to the Academy restart project, particularly with the under-18s, has helped create a solid foundation for years to come.

"Lydia leaves with our blessings, and the Brentford doors are always open for her."