Lindsay to take interim charge of NI in qualifiers

Northern Ireland have appointed Kris Lindsay as interim manager for their first pair of 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in March.

Tanya Oxtoby left the post to manage Newcastle United in November after two years in charge and, with no permanent replacement appointed, Lindsay will take charge of games away to Switzerland on 3 March and home to Turkey four days later.

Lindsay, who is currently manager of the Northern Ireland men’s under-16 team, was previously at the helm of Irish Premiership side Dungannon Swifts, and served as first-team coach for Cliftonville and Glenavon.

Lindsay was also first-team coach for the Northern Ireland women’s team when Gail Redmond was interim manager between the reigns of Oxtoby and previous manager Kenny Shiels in July 2023.

“Managing your country at any level is a privilege and I’m delighted to be given this chance,” said Lindsay.

“I have followed the senior women’s team for some time. They have a fantastic leadership group and my role will simply be to add where I can.

“These are two tough games to kick off our World Cup campaign and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Choosing Oxtoby’s successor a ‘significant and complex decision’

Director of women’s football at the Irish Football Association (IFA) Angela Platt said that Lindsay’s interim hire would allow the organisation to take the “proper time and diligence” over naming Oxtoby’s permanent successor.

“Following Tanya stepping aside, it was important that we took the appropriate time to reflect and fully assess what the next phase for the senior women’s team should look like,” she said.

“From the outset we were clear that appointing a senior international head coach is a significant and complex decision, and one that requires proper time and diligence.

“Our focus has been on clearly defining the needs, ambitions and long-term vision for the programme to ensure the next appointment is aligned with where we want the team to go, rather than being driven by short-term pressures.”

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