What next for Northern Ireland women?

Saturday 22nd November 2025.

After two and a half years at the helm this was the date that Tanya Oxtoby resigned as manager of the senior Northern Ireland women’s team.

That’s two months (as of today 22/01/26).

There’s no word of any replacement at time of writing. In fact if you so wished there are still 24 hours to apply for the job if you see this and have the required qualifications.

No whispers of possible appointments, no names in the press and as the application is still open an indication of no succession planning?

Under Oxtoby’s tenures there were changes. More players with clubs across the water in England and Scotland in the squad, less from our own shores. Those who brought so much seemed to disappear from the conversation without a trace. The McGuinness sisters being squad regulars absent without trace being the major casualties.

A slight raise in the rankings from 47th to 44th, along with a couple of difficult play off fixtures showed incremental, if unspectacular progress.

40 days.

That’s how long remains until World Cup qualifiers begin for our women.

Just over a month.

6 games all wrapped up by May.

Is this enough time for whoever takes up post to get a squad together, get across the details of opponents or do the IFA expect this new appointment to jump on a moving treadmill?

At one point our senior women were all the IFA could talk about, and rightly so. The work to raise the women’s game profile is vital and important.

League attendances are up, finals are well attended but this work is being done by the NI Football League and the clubs here on the ground.

Our senior women have a loyal fanbase, highly family friendly crowds and with players who appreciate everyone who comes along with a lot if time spent with fans after the game laying groundwork for future fans and hopefully stars who will never forget those interactions.

Applications close at 5pm tomorrow at which point there will be 39 days to go.

Our women’s team deserve better, the fans deserve better and the IFA need to show some sort of plan.