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Kenny Shiels departs as Northern Ireland manager

Kenny Shiels took over the role in 2019
Kenny Shiels took over the role in 2019

The Irish Football Association has confirmed that Kenny Shiels has left his role as manager of the Northern Ireland senior women's team.

Shiels has been in charge of the side since 2019 and guided Northern Ireland to their first major tournament, as they qualified for Euro 2022.

"I have enjoyed my time as senior women’s manager immensely," said Shiels. "I have worked hard with the players to raise their expectations and change their style of play so that we were a team to be reckoned with.

"This success has generated record attendance figures at senior women's games and I was delighted to see so many of the Green and White Army travel to England to cheer us on last summer at the Euros.

"I want to thank everyone who has backed me, and the team, during my time as manager."

Northern Ireland failed to qualify for the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, finishing behind England and Austria in their group, but secured a record points tally of 19 in qualifying.

They are not scheduled to play another competitive match until the start of qualifying for Euro 2025.

Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson said: "Kenny’s impact on the women’s and girls’ game in Northern Ireland has been transformative. Securing that historic qualification to the Euros is forever etched in Irish FA history."

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