Shaun Goater has parted ways with Manchester City to take on a new challenge as assistant first team coach of Women’s Super League outfit Aston Villa.

The former Bermuda and City striker is among new manager Robert de Pauw's backroom staff which also includes fellow assistant coaches Jessie van den Broek and Leanne Hall, goalkeeper coach Chris Stygal and Physical Performance Lead Kirsty Frick.

“Aston Villa Women is delighted to confirm manager Robert de Pauw's backroom staff,” a club statement read.

“Jessie van den Broek arrives as Assistant First Team Coach, having served as an assistant coach to de Pauw at FC Twente and Bayer Leverkusen.

“Most recently on the staff at Manchester City Women, Shaun Goater becomes Assistant First Team Coach, while Chris Stygal (First Team Goalkeeper Coach) joins Villa from Newcastle United Women following their back-to-back promotions.

“Kirsty Frick completes the new arrivals, coming in as Physical Performance Lead after joining from West Bromwich Albion. “Leanne Hall also remains at the club as Assistant First Team Coach having been part of the backroom staff last season.”

Goater, who netted 103 goals in 211 appearances for City between 1998 and 2003, boasts previous coaching experience after serving on the academy coaching staff at City as part as part of an initiative geared towards increasing the number of Black, Asian and ethnic minority coaches working full time in professional football after successfully applying through the Premier League’s Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme.

The Uefa A licence holder served on City’s academy coaching staff in a varied role for three years, working across all the academy age groups from the foundation phase up to the professional development phase, also serving as an assistant to City Women's boss Gareth Taylor before joining Premier League rivals Villa.

Aston Villa Women are second from bottom of the Women’s Super League standings with three points from seven matches thus far and are still seeking their first league win of the season.

Goater’s former club Manchester City top the table by one point over champions Chelsea.