Marisa Ewers: From pitch to backroom

Marisa Ewers is nearing in on six years as a Villan, a stint that has seen her take up roles both on and off the pitch.

The 36-year-old joined Villa in the summer of 2019 ahead of the club’s inaugural campaign as a full-time outfit and went on to play a key part in the side’s promotion to the Women’s Super League.

Ewers continued her integral role in midfield during the side’s maiden top flight campaign as she helped the side secure WSL status for a second season, a league where the team still ply their trade today.

The former midfielder called time on her playing career in February 2022 as she began life away from the pitch and as part of the club’s backroom staff.

Reflecting on her transition from player to General Manager, Ewers said: “During my playing time I tried to prepare my transition, so I studied alongside playing.

“I did two masters in England and tried to really prepare myself for when I would stop playing football.

“Whilst I was playing for Villa, I was already doing work for the club in recruitment and operations and when I stopped playing, I went straight into Head of Recruitment and then the club needed support in the overall management as the games were getting bigger and bigger so I became the General Manager which was a quick transition.

“I have been enjoying it by helping to manage staff and to help push the women’s team in a direction that we can be proud of.

“But where we’ve come from to where we are now, a lot of work has gone into this and it’s nice to see where we are now.”

During her final season playing, Ewers began her move from player to staff member as she first teed up the recruitment department before moving into her current role of General Manager, where she helps with the day-to-day operations, helping with the team budget in addition to aiding the arrival of new signings.

Ewers shared an insight into how she found the transition.

“At first it was a bit strange because I had the staff that were managing me as a player now sitting next to me in the office,” she said.

“But they trusted me straight away because I had already had that dual role before and I know what to keep confidential and what the professional conduct is.

“So, the staff made it easy for me to integrate and club in general supported me really well in that journey.”

When Ewers first joined the club back in 2019, the side were transitioning into a full-time professional model so she has seen the team through its rise first hand and she reflects fondly on her time here so far and how she feels a sense of pride in seeing the club transform over the last six years.

Ewers said: “You’re proud of the hard work you have put in yourself but also the people around you.

“You appreciate the support from the club because if we had to fight for it all every day then that makes things really hard but because we are very much supported it makes that part so much easier.

“It’s great to see where I came from.

“When I joined the players the season before didn’t even have a changing room, they were getting changed in the car, so things have changed so much and it’s great to see.”

Ewers also provided an insight into where she would like her role to grow and where she sees herself progressing in the world of women’s football.

She shared: “I’m interested in a Sporting Director role, maybe a Director of Football, but right now I am in a good position.

“I learn a lot but I have had a quick transition already, so I don’t need to accelerate what’s next.

“But I very much appreciate the position I have right now as it allows me to also learn a lot in the background and to learn from Lee Billiard (Head of Women’s Football) with the business side of things.”

The former German youth international also hopes to see Villa playing in Europe one day as she knows that the club will continue to grow in the right direction and become sustainable.

“I think the club has the real potential to go far with the women’s side and similar to what they are achieving on the men’s side right now,” she said.

“It takes time, especially as it’s only our fifth season in the Women’s Super League.

“But I do think the potential is there to really go all the way and play in Europe one day and that’s hopefully sooner rather than later.

“But it will take some time to do this sustainably.”