Remi Allen: From Midfield Maestro to Inspirational Football Coach
In the world of English women’s football, few names resonate with the same balance of grit, resilience and leadership as Remi Allen. Known first as a technically gifted and hard-working midfielder, Allen carved out a successful playing career across several top clubs before stepping into coaching. Today, she is Assistant Coach at Crystal Palace Women, bringing her wealth of on-field experience into management. Her story is one of dedication, constant learning and a deep passion for developing football both on and off the pitch.
Early Life and Playing Beginnings
Growing Up in Leicester
Remi Lee Allen was born on 15 October 1990 in Leicester, England. Football became her first love at an early age, and her talent quickly set her apart from her peers. Growing up in an era when pathways for girls in football were still developing, Allen’s determination ensured she found her place within the game.
First Steps in Senior Football
Allen’s senior career began with Leicester City, her hometown club, where she earned valuable experience before moving to Leeds Carnegie in 2009. At Leeds, she further developed her skills as a box-to-box midfielder, known for her energy, tactical understanding and relentless drive.
Professional Career in the FA WSL
Rise Through the Clubs
Remi Allen’s reputation grew as she joined Lincoln Ladies (later Notts County), before moving to Birmingham City in 2014. With Birmingham, she became a key figure in the midfield, respected for her consistency and leadership on the pitch.
In 2016, she signed for Reading, where she spent four years as part of a side competing regularly in the FA Women’s Super League (FAWSL). At Reading she enjoyed Champions League football, underlining her status as one of the league’s most dependable midfielders.
Her career later came full circle with a return to Leicester City and then a spell at Aston Villa, before signing for Birmingham City once again. Across her career, Allen made over 100 FAWSL appearances, becoming a respected figure across multiple clubs.
Honours and Achievements
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Represented England at youth levels, including U19 and U23.
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European Championship winner with England U19s, one of her proudest career moments.
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FA Women’s Championship title winner with Leicester City, helping the club achieve promotion.
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Played in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Reading.
Overcoming Challenges
Allen’s career was not without obstacles. While at Aston Villa, she suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2022, a setback that required immense resilience and commitment to recover from. The way she overcame injury and returned to football highlighted her strength of character, serving as an inspiration to younger players facing similar battles.
Transition to Coaching
Gaining Coaching Experience
Even while playing, Remi Allen was preparing for her future. She worked with Regional Talent Clubs (RTCs) across all age groups, eventually coaching at under-21s level. This experience gave her valuable insights into player development, coaching philosophy and how to build high-performance environments.
Holding a UEFA A Licence, she approached coaching with the same passion and intensity she showed on the pitch. Her focus has always been on leadership, creating cultures of excellence and supporting players to achieve their maximum potential.
London City Lionesses – Steadying the Ship
In March 2024, Allen stepped into her first senior head coach role at London City Lionesses on an interim basis. Her task was simple but daunting: steady the team and ensure they stayed in the FA Women’s Championship. In just six games, she achieved that objective, leaving the club in a stronger position than when she arrived.
Southampton Women – Driving Culture and Standards
By July 2024, Allen was appointed Head Coach of Southampton Women FC. This role allowed her to drive culture, implement standards and foster a high-performing environment. For Allen, it was an opportunity to apply all she had learned in her playing career to management at the highest level of the women’s second tier.
Crystal Palace Women – Assistant Coach Role
In July 2025, Remi Allen took on her current role as Assistant Coach at Crystal Palace Women. Working alongside Head Coach Jo Potter, she is continuing to grow in her understanding of managing within a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in a high-performance environment. For Allen, this role is as much about development as it is about leadership, offering her the chance to learn new methods while applying her own knowledge.
International and FA Experience
Allen’s coaching journey has also extended beyond club football. As part of a mentee scheme, she worked with the England Under-23s as an assistant coach, gaining valuable international experience.
Additionally, she contributed to the FA’s scouting and analysis team during the Women’s Senior World Cup. This role broadened her perspective on football, blending tactical analysis with talent identification at the very highest level.
Media Work and Punditry
Alongside coaching, Remi Allen has stepped into the media world as a commentator and pundit. She has worked with some of the UK’s biggest broadcasters, including BBC, Sky Sports and TalkSport. Her playing background and tactical insight make her a respected voice in the growing landscape of women’s football coverage.
Legacy as a Player
Before all the coaching and media work, Allen was first and foremost a player. She built a career on determination, versatility and resilience. Representing multiple clubs, competing in Europe, and winning a youth European Championship with England, her playing days laid the foundation for everything she now does in coaching.
Her journey from Leicester’s local football pitches to Champions League stadiums is a testament to her talent and perseverance.
Personal Philosophy and Leadership
Allen is passionate about leadership, culture and continuous learning. She openly speaks about transferring the lessons from her playing days into management, focusing on evolving as a coach while supporting others.
She has been vocal about the importance of building environments where players feel valued, driven and challenged. For her, football is as much about creating cultures of belief and excellence as it is about tactics on the pitch.
Conclusion
Remi Allen embodies the evolution of women’s football in England. From a hardworking midfielder who gave everything for her teams to an ambitious coach developing the next generation, her journey reflects both resilience and growth.
Today, as Assistant Coach at Crystal Palace Women, she continues to shape the game — learning, leading and inspiring. With her experience, knowledge and passion for football, Allen’s story is far from complete. The future promises more chapters, and her impact on English women’s football will no doubt continue to grow.
