Tanya Oxtoby has made the decision to leave her role as Northern Ireland women’s national team coach after two years in charge, joining Newcastle United in the Women’s Super League 2 (WSL 2). The 43-year-old Australian made the move in order to return to daily coaching and pursue her ambition of leading Newcastle into the top tier of English women’s football.
“Getting back on the grass every day is something I really missed,” Oxtoby told BBC Sport.
“It wasn’t a decision my family and I took lightly. We had to weigh it up carefully.”
Northern Ireland Tenure: Transition and Challenges
Oxtoby took charge of Northern Ireland in 2023, signing a four-year deal after the team’s historic appearance at Euro 2022. Her role was significant, guiding a young squad through a transition period, professionalising processes, and lowering the average squad age from 26.7 to 24.8.
“I’m proud of what I achieved there – transitioning the squad and bringing younger players through,” Oxtoby said.
She acknowledged the challenges of international football, where limited staff and resources meant changes took longer than desired. By the end of her tenure, a higher percentage of Northern Ireland’s squad were playing in England or Scotland, helping accelerate player development.
Moving to Newcastle: Ambition and Opportunity
Oxtoby’s decision was influenced by a desire to coach every day and work within a well-resourced environment. Newcastle has invested in both the transfer window and club infrastructure, aligning with her goals.
“I came in with my eyes open, knowing exactly what we were going after. I embraced it and wanted it,” she said.
Her prior experience includes managing Bristol City (2018-2021) and serving as assistant manager at Chelsea under Emma Hayes. At Newcastle, she will lead a multidisciplinary team, implement WSL-level processes, and develop players with a winning mentality.
Lessons from International Coaching
Oxtoby highlighted the importance of adaptability, a skill honed while working with Northern Ireland.
“You know what best practice looks like, but sometimes you can’t do everything exactly that way due to time, resources, or personnel. The key is to tweak your approach and still achieve similar outcomes.”
She also emphasized the detailed planning required in international football, which she intends to bring to her new role at Newcastle.
Looking Ahead
Oxtoby joins Newcastle with the aim of achieving promotion to the WSL as part of a two-to-three-year plan. She hopes her experience with Northern Ireland will help her build a competitive, professional squad and instil long-term success at the club.
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