Bermuda legend Shaun Goater is on the hunt for a new role in football after leaving Aston Villa Women.

Goater joined the club as assistant coach in August 2024 after departing the same position at Manchester City and he was named caretaker manager of Villa in December 2024 after the club sacked head coach Robert Pauw.

Villa won three and drew one of the matches when Goater was at the helm and he expressed a desire to take the job permanently, but he returned to the assistant position after Spanish coach Natalie Arroyo was hired in January 2025.

Goater released a statement on social media confirming his time at Villa had drawn to a close.

“My time with Aston Villa Women’s Football Club has come to an end,” Goater said.

“A huge thank you to the players for their hard work, commitment and dedication. It has been a privilege to work with such a talented group.

“During my time at the club my role evolved from attacking coach to orchestrating our attacking set pieces. I’m proud that during this period the team ranked second in the league for attacking set-piece success behind Manchester City.

“Thank you to the supporters for the warmth, trust and belief you showed me, especially during the interim period when I managed the team successfully, and throughout my time at the club. It meant a great deal.

“Wishing the players, staff and fans every success for the future. I can’t wait for my next challenge.”

The news was not taken well by fans of the team after Villa released a short statement announcing his departure, in which they thanked Goater for his contribution and wished him well for the future.

Leading fan site Astonvillanews.com said Goater’s exit had not been welcomed by supporters of the club.

“Aston Villa fans have expressed their dismay at the news of Shaun Goater’s departure from the women’s team,” their article read.

“Goater was kept on following the appointment of manager Natalia Arroyo in January 2025, but there have been increasing calls for the 56-year-old to replace her, especially after their 7-3 thumping by Tottenham last month.

“However, there is next to no chance of that happening now after the West Midlands outfit announced his exit from Villa Park. When news of this broke on Wednesday morning, many Villa fans were deeply perturbed by this development. Villa sit ninth in the Women’s Super League and have had an underwhelming season.

“This led to one Villa fan writing on X, “Did he resign or was he pushed?” and another tweeted, “Wrong person leaving the club”.

Another Villa fan commented, “Worst decision ever,” and one put, “I’ll see how we perform against Leicester and then decide how I feel about this.”