Oxtoby leaves NI to take over at Newcastle

Tanya Oxtoby has left her role as Northern Ireland manager to become head coach at WSL 2 side Newcastle United.

Oxtoby, 43, spent two years in charge of Northern Ireland after arriving in 2023 and signs a contract with Newcastle until 2029.

"I am excited and honoured. It is an exciting project and it's my job to add to that, we are very ambitious, and it will be an amazing journey," she told the Newcastle website.

"My job is to come in and develop players and take us to the next level. I want to help everyone reach their potential and take them on a journey that will be really successful.

"The ambition that the club shows and my own ambition, they align and we are wanting to be successful and that's the responsibility I carry."

Oxtoby managed Bristol City from 2018 to 2021 before becoming assistant coach to Emma Hayes at Chelsea for two seasons.

The Australian 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.

Under Oxtoby, Northern Ireland lost to Norway in the Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs last year.

Last month, in what proved to be Oxtoby's final two games in charge, they lost 5-0 to Iceland on aggregate to miss out on promotion to the top tier of the Nations League.

"It's been an honour and a privilege to lead Northern Ireland," Oxtoby told the Irish FA's website upon the announcement of her departure.

"We have seen a massive transition of young players coming through and a real high performing environment created which is a huge credit to players and staff alike who have been a pleasure to work with during my time in post.

"I wish everyone the best going forward. To the fans, thank you for always supporting the journey. Northern Ireland, and the Green and White Army, will always have a special place in my heart."

Newcastle had been without a head coach since Becky Langley left on 21 October with the club ninth in the table.

They 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.

On paper it will read that Tanya Oxtoby has left her role as Northern Ireland manager for a new challenge with two years left on her contract. Yet, it feels like an appropriate time to part ways.

After a change in direction following Kenny Shiels' departure from the role, the Australian brought top-level experience from her time as Emma Hayes' assistant at Chelsea.

Results on the pitch were mixed, but throughout her tenure Northern Ireland have been a reliable League B side, who are too good for relegation but have also struggled to break into the top tier or qualify for major tournaments.

As the defeat by Iceland showcased, there is no clear answer to how NI can topple League A opposition to reach that promised land, especially with the younger age profile of the squad.

Under Oxtoby, a new era has been ushered in as the experienced heroes of Euro 2022, many of whom were involved with Northern Ireland since the team reformed in 2005, have gradually made way for a new generation.

She has accelerated the pathway for young players to reach the senior team and, in that sense, the full fruits of Oxtoby's labour may not be seen until a few years down the line as the squad continues to grow and develop.

For now, the Irish FA will have to find a new successor to take the challenge of bringing the team on - and that includes trying to find a solution to bridge the gap between Northern Ireland and the League A sides.