Manager Tanya Oxtoby is set to depart Northern Ireland
Tanya Oxtoby looks set to leave her role as Northern Ireland Women’s manager.
The 43-year-old has emerged as a favourite to be appointed head coach at Women’s Super League 2 side Newcastle United.
Newcastle have been without a head coach since Becky Langley left in October with the club ninth in the table.
Oxtoby has been in charge of Northern Ireland since 2023.
Last month they lost 5-0 to Iceland on aggregate to miss out on promotion to the top tier of the Nations League.
Originally from Wickham in Western Australia, Oxtoby had signed a four-year contract with the Irish Football Association.
Before linking up with Northern Ireland she was assistant coach at Chelsea, where she won the League and Cup double two years in a row.
She managed Bristol City from 2018 to 2021 before joining Chelsea.
Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby addresses her players after their defeat to Iceland
Oxtoby has also had spells as Scotland, Birmingham City, Perth Glory and Australia Under-20s assistant. She began her managerial career at Nottingham Forest in 2012.
Newcastle went fully professional in 2023 and finished fifth in their first campaign in the second tier last season.
This season the top two from WSL 2 will earn automatic promotion to the top flight, while the team that finish third face a Play-Off with the bottom club in the WSL.
Oxtoby’s playing career began at Australian side Northern Redbacks back in 2002. Moves to Northern NSW Pride, Western Waves and Perth Glory followed before stints in England where the centre-back played for Everton.
Northern Ireland also lost to Norway in the Euro 2025 qualifying Play-Offs last year.
For the Irish FA, her departure will see the Association embark on another recruitment drive as they seek to create a more competitive senior side and further promote, foster and develop women’s football across Northern Ireland.