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Midweek, the Bay Collective group disclosed the appointment of Anja van Ginhoven, the English national team's managerial lead under Sarina Wiegman, to serve as their director of global women’s football operations. This new collective club ownership initiative, which includes the San Francisco-based Bay FC as its inaugural team in its portfolio, has a history in hiring individuals from the English FA.

The hiring in recent months of Cossington, the influential previous technical director at the Football Association, to the CEO role was a signal of intent by this organization. She understands women’s football comprehensively and currently she has assembled an executive team with a deep understanding of the evolution of the women's game and filled with experience.

Van Ginhoven is the third key figure of the manager's inner circle to leave recently, with the chief executive departing prior to Euro 2025 and assistant coach, Arjan Veurink, leaving to assume the position of manager of the Netherlands, however Van Ginhoven's choice came sooner.

Leaving proved to be a surprising shift, but “I’d taken my decision to leave the FA some time back”, she says. “My agreement covering four years, similar to the assistant and head coach did. When they renewed, I had already said I was uncertain about renewing myself. I had grown accustomed to the whole idea that following the tournament I would no longer be involved with the national team.”

The Euros became an emotional event because of this. “It's sharp in my memory, having a conversation with the head coach when I disclosed of my choice and we then remarked: ‘We share a single dream, what a triumph it would represent if we were to win the European Championship?’ In reality, dreams don't hopes materialize frequently however, against the odds, this one did.”

Wearing a Netherlands-colored shirt, Van Ginhoven experiences split allegiances after her time with the English team, where she was part of winning back-to-back European titles and served on Wiegman’s staff for the Netherlands’ triumph the 2017 Euros.

“The English side will always hold a special place in my heart. So, it will be challenging, particularly now knowing that the squad are due to arrive for the upcoming fixtures shortly,” she says. “When England plays the Netherlands, which side do I back? Right now I'm in Dutch colors, but tomorrow it’s white.”

You can change direction and move quickly in a speedboat. In a lean group like this one, that is simple to achieve.

The American side was not in the plans as the strategic expert determined it was time to move on, but the pieces fell into place opportunely. The chief executive started to bring people in and their shared values were crucial.

“Essentially upon meeting we met we experienced an instant connection,” says she. “We were instantly aligned. We have spoken at length on various topics around how you grow the game and the methods we believe are correct.”

These executives are not alone to make a move from high-profile jobs within European football for a fresh start across the Atlantic. The Spanish club's women’s technical director, González, has been introduced as the organization's worldwide sports director.

“I felt strongly drawn to that strong belief in the potential of women's football,” she comments. “I've been acquainted with Kay Cossington for an extended period; back when I was with Fifa, she was the technical director of England, and such choices are straightforward when you are aware you'll be working alongside colleagues who drive you.”

The extensive expertise within their group distinguishes them, explains Van Ginhoven, for the collective one of several fresh club ownership ventures which have emerged in recent years. “That’s one of our unique selling points. Different approaches are acceptable, however we strongly feel in incorporating football expertise,” she states. “Each of us have traveled a path within the women's game, probably for the best part of our lives.”

As outlined on their site, the goal of this group is to champion and pioneer an advanced and lasting environment for women's football clubs, based on what works addressing the different demands of women. Achieving this, with unified understanding, with no need to make the case for specific initiatives, provides great freedom.

“I liken it to going from a tanker to a speedboat,” states Van Ginhoven. “You’re basically driving across unmapped territories – that’s a Dutch saying, I'm unsure if it translates well – and you just need to rely on your own knowledge and expertise for making correct choices. You can change direction and move quickly using a speedboat. Within a compact team such as ours, that is simple to achieve.”

She continues: “Here, we start with a blank slate to start with. Personally, what we do involves shaping the sport on a much broader level and that white paper allows you to do whatever you want, adhering to football's guidelines. That’s the beauty of our joint endeavor.”

Their goals are lofty, the management are saying the things players and fans hope to hear and it will be fascinating to observe the evolution of Bay Collective, the club and future additions to the group.

For a flavour of what is to come, which elements are crucial for a top-level environment? “{It all starts and ends with|Everything begins and concludes with|The foundation and culmination involve