Harvey replaces Gervaise at Arsenal

UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finalists Arsenal LFC have appointed Laura Harvey as their new manager to replace Tony Gervaise, who remains as the club's academy director.

Gervaise took the helm last summer after Vic Akers, who founded the team in 1987, stepped up to become general manager having led Arsenal to their 11th English title and tenth FA Women's Cup, as well as to victory in the 2007 UEFA Women's Cup. However, the former Scotland youth coach will now concentrate on his academy role and is replaced by 29-year-old Harvey, who joined Arsenal in 2008 and had been working as assistant academy director having also been first-team coach and reserves manager. She will retain her role in the England youth coaching setup.

Harvey, previously a player and manager at Birmingham City LFC, said: "It's a really proud moment for me. In women's football, especially domestically, it doesn't come any bigger than Arsenal. When you set out to coach and you know this is your dream and your love, you want to make it the best it can possibly be and in my eyes it doesn't get much bigger than this. I'm looking forward to my new role and also the challenge of taking on the responsibility of the team, which starts with our FA Cup quarter-final fixture against Doncaster on Sunday."

Arsenal, four points behind FA Women's Premier League leaders Sunderland WFC but with six games in hand, take on reigning European champions FCR 2001 Duisburg in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals on 10 and 14 March.

Elsewhere in England, Leeds Carnegie LFC – who are not among the applicants for the new FA Women's Super League to launch in 2011 – defeated former UEFA Women's Champions League contenders Everton LFC 3-1 on Thursday night to win the FA Women's Premier League Cup.