Kenny Shiels to leave his post as Northern Ireland Women's Manager

Shiels the former Derry City, Coleraine and Kilmarnock manager took up the role back in May 2019 after the departure of previous manager Alfie Wylie and instantly built upon the blocks laid out from previous years.

Under Kenny and his coaching staff the Northern Irish Women's team started to flourish despite a global pandemic with their string of great results in 2020 and 2021 propelling them to an unprecedented level. This level ultimately leading the team to their first ever participation at a majors women's tournament, the 2022 European Championships held in England.

It was not all plain sailing for the 66 year old, who came under intense worldwide scrutiny after making a controversial statement which Shiels attributed to women being "more emotional than men, so they take a goal going in not very well."

This statement sent shockwaves across the globe with many current players, pundits, ex-professionals and managers calling for his job, however the IFA and ultimately the Northern Irish players backed their manager thus allowing him to lead his team to the European Championships.

Today's announcement may come as a shock to many but weighing up all factors within Shiels' tenure the decision has come at the right time for all which shall allow the Irish Football Association time to search out a new head coach to take this ever developing crop of players to the next level.

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