The news broke like wildfire—both within the Manchester United Women's camp and across the football world. The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) had launched an inquiry into the training methods of the club's new manager after reports emerged about Alessia Russo collapsing during a grueling session. The PFA's involvement sent shockwaves through the squad, leaving the players questioning the decisions and culture being fostered under the new regime.
Alessia, still recovering from the ordeal, sat in her kitchen, scrolling through the club's announcement on her phone. A wave of relief mingled with sadness as the headline stared back at her: "Alessia Russo Departs Manchester United Women for Manchester City Women."
The decision hadn't been easy. Manchester United had been her home for years, a place where she'd grown as both a player and a person. But the recent events—the overbearing manager, the toxic dynamics with Ella Toone after the Lionesses camp—had made her realize she needed a fresh start.
The news hadn't gone unnoticed by her teammates. That morning, as Alessia packed the last of her things into boxes, Ella Toone showed up at her door, her face pale and her eyes wide with desperation.
"Less," Ella started, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "You can't leave. Not like this."
Alessia sighed, setting down the box she was carrying. She had expected this. "Ella, I've made up my mind. I can't stay here anymore."
"But why?" Ella's voice cracked. "We've been through so much together. United needs you. I need you."
Alessia crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "Ella, this isn't just about what happened at the Lionesses camp, though that didn't help. It's about the bigger picture. The manager, the environment here—it's not healthy for me anymore."
Ella shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "I didn't mean to cause any of this. I was upset, I wasn't thinking—"
"You weren't thinking, Ella," Alessia interrupted, her voice firm but not unkind. "And it cost me. It cost us. I need to do what's best for me now."
Ella's shoulders slumped, and for a moment, she looked like she might say something more. But then, she simply nodded, the reality of Alessia's decision settling in.
"I'm sorry, Less," she whispered. "I really am."
Alessia gave her a small, sad smile. "I know. But this is what I need to do."
Later that afternoon, Alessia arrived at Manchester City Women's training ground. The atmosphere was vastly different—welcoming and buzzing with energy. Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp were among the first to greet her, their excitement palpable.
"Less!" Chloe exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. "We've been waiting for this day. You have no idea how happy we are to have you here."
Lauren grinned, nudging Alessia playfully. "Yeah, welcome to the blue side. You're going to love it here."
Alessia laughed, the weight of the past few weeks beginning to lift. "Thanks, guys. I'm excited to be here too."
As they showed her around, Alessia felt a sense of belonging she hadn't felt in months. The camaraderie, the positivity—it was everything she had been missing. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
Meanwhile, back at United, the team was reeling from Alessia's departure. The inquiry by the PFA into the manager's methods had thrown the squad into turmoil, and the loss of one of their best players only deepened the fracture within the team.
Ella sat in the locker room after training, staring at Alessia's empty spot. The guilt weighed heavily on her. She knew her actions during the last Lionesses camp had contributed to Alessia's decision, and the regret was almost unbearable.
The other players whispered among themselves, their frustration with the manager growing. Millie Turner, one of the team's leaders, finally spoke up during a team meeting.
"This isn't right," she said, her voice firm. "We can't keep losing players because of this environment. The PFA is looking into it, but we need to stand together and demand better."
Her words sparked a sense of unity among the team, but the damage was already done. Alessia was gone, and her absence left a void that wouldn't easily be filled.
As Alessia settled into her new routine at Manchester City Women, she received a flood of messages from fans and former teammates wishing her well. Among them was a text from Millie Turner:
"Proud of you for putting yourself first. You'll do amazing things at City. Keep shining, Less."
Alessia smiled, her heart full. For the first time in months, she felt at peace with her decision. She was ready to embrace this new chapter and everything it had to offer.
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WSL Oneshots
FanfictionA story of various one shots from across the WSL with some Lionesses and Matildas ones included too
