WORCESTER City Women’s manager Paul Hennessey says it will be hard to leave the club despite the exciting prospect of coaching in America.

The 23-year-old is heading off to Baltimore, Maryland, in the new year to work for football schools company Challenger Sports.

After four years with Worcester women, the former City academy player believes that he has left the team in a stronger position than when he took over.

“The challenge in front of me is something that is really exciting as football in the States is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country,” Hennessey said.

“It is going to be hard to leave — I have been at Worcester for so long now.

“I went through the academy there before going on to manage the women’s team.

“This was an opportunity that was too good to turn down.”

Hennessey was also the head coach of the University of Worcester women’s team and he helped guide them to the BUSA 1A title.

Despite his success with both the St George’s Lane outfit and the university side, he believes the teams will continue to flourish.

“The most important thing is that the players stick together,” he said.

The City women are hoping to have a new manager in place before Hennessey goes, with his final match being on Sunday when they host Dudley United.

The clash with the Black Country side is the West Midlands Regional League Division One South high-fliers’ final match of 2008.

“Hopefully, we will have someone in before I go,” Hennessey added.

“We want to try and make the transition as smooth as possible.

“I’m hoping that in the next seven to 14 days that there will be someone to take over.”

City skipper Vicky Andrews, who herself was a former manager of the side, is hoping that a new person will be in place before the January 4 game at Marston Green.

“If there isn’t anyone then, I will probably be in charge for a while which won’t be ideal,” she said.

“We need someone who is experienced, interested in women’s football and committed.

“We are doing pretty well at the moment and we want that to continue.”

The women’s first XI match with league leaders Leamington Lions on Sunday was called off due to a frozen pitch, while the reserves’ game also fell foul of the cold weather.