A Northern Ireland international football coach has left his role to take up a position with FIFA. Stuart McLaren has been working as Northern Ireland senior women's coach since 2023.
The 49-year-old - who joined Tanya Oxtoby's backroom team after working with her in the Scotland senior women's side - confirmed his departure after Tuesday night's 1-0 UEFA Women’s Nations League victory against Romania.
He said: "Tanya and I had known each other for nearly eight years and my first experience of working with her for Scotland was a really positive one. Her knowledge of the game and in particular the WSL players was excellent.
"Once Tanya took the managerial post at Northern Ireland she made the call to me and we linked back up. To have the chance to come in and be a part of what Tanya was trying to build meant it was a quick and easy decision to make.
"During my time here I've seen real collaboration across all parts of the senior women's set-up. There is clarity and structure. Every camp we evolve and look to learn how we can do things better.
“That input comes from the players too and they give honest feedback about what they want to see finetuned in order for us to maintain that high performance environment.”
McLaren's new role will be as Talent Coach with World governing body FIFA. He will work alongside the Ghanaian FA to help improve the African country’s talent ID system.
The Scot added: "It's an exciting role and a great opportunity but, naturally, I'm sad to leave Northern Ireland. There are so many highlights but Lauren Wade's goal against Croatia at the National Football Stadium (October 2024) sticks out. What a goal and what a moment.
“My message to all the aspiring footballers out there wanting to follow in the footsteps of Lauren, Jackie or Joely and the rest of the team is to get out there and get the boots on. There has never been a better time to get involved in women's football."
English (United States) ·