The Irish Football Association confirmed the appointment of Michael McArdle as the manager of the senior women’s side on Monday. McArdle joins from the Scottish FA, where he served as the head of elite women’s football. He previously held the role of interim head coach for the Scotland women’s national team during the 2024-25 season, according to the Irish FA.
McArdle succeeds Tanya Oxtoby, who departed the role earlier this year. He takes charge ahead of the upcoming international window as the team prepares for future competitive fixtures. The 38-year-old coach spent five years with the Scottish FA in various high-performance roles before moving to Belfast, per Sky Sports.
Irish FA director of women’s football Angela Platt stated that McArdle’s experience in international structures was a key factor in his selection. His primary objective involves guiding Northern Ireland through their next qualification campaign. McArdle will oversee both the senior squad and the integration of youth players into the elite setup, per the Irish FA.
