New manager Tanya Oxtoby lays out blueprint to guide Northern Ireland to glory
Northern Ireland senior womenÕs team manager, Tanya Oxtoby with Angela Platt and Aaron Hughes Technical Director at the Irish Football Association
In what has been a tumultuous fortnight for women’s football, Australian Tanya Oxtoby breezed into Windsor Park like a breath of fresh air.
The fresh-faced Northern Ireland manager dealt with tricky questions on under-fire Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales, axed Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw and her controversial predecessor Kenny Shiels with ease.
She underlined her support for the Spanish players, sympathised with Pauw and praised Shiels for guiding Northern Ireland to Euro 2022.
It’s the type of lift the Irish FA badly needed. The process to replace Shiels took over six months, with both Andy Waterworth and Gail Redmond enduring stints as caretaker manager in the interim.
It’s no secret that Oxtoby was not first-choice for the role, but Technical Director Aaron Hughes is confident the IFA have got the right person.
He said: “It was a case of going through a detailed process and doing our due diligence.
“I suppose to get to the level of candidate that we got, with Tanya’s calibre, you don’t get that overnight.”
The 41-year-old’s CV is certainly impressive. The former Everton player has served as an assistant to Australia’s Under-20s, Scotland and Chelsea, alongside Emma Hayes, as well as managing Bristol City.
Now, she wants to guide Northern Ireland to another major tournament.
She said: “When I took on this role, I was looking at the Euros and the World Cup.
“How we get there is going to be a process. We have short-term ambitions and long-term goals as well.
“Hopefully I’m sat in a nice sunny place in the world, with this team competing at a major tournament.
Read on belfasttelegraph.co.uk
