Kenny Shiels could manage Great Britain women for Olympic Games as Phil Neville set for Inter Miami job

Kenny Shiels could be in the frame to take over for Tokyo

Stuart McKinley

January 13 2021 09:30 AM

Kenny Shiels could sensationally be handed the responsibility of leading the Great Britain women's football team into the Olympic Games.

The role of Olympic boss is set to become vacant within a matter of days, with Phil Neville's announcement as manager of Inter Miami thought to be imminent.

That appointment will see Neville leave his post as England women's manager - a position he was due to depart in July when his contract comes to an end - and it also means he will no longer be in charge of the GB women's team in Tokyo, a job which he had also been appointed to do.

That could now open the door for Northern Ireland women's manager Shiels to be thrust into the role.

Shiels is one of only two coaches currently in situ with British nations after Scotland manager Shelley Kerr left her post following an unsuccessful Women's Euro 2022 qualifying campaign.

Wales coach Jayne Ludlow is still in place at present, but how long for remains uncertain after being linked with club jobs on the back of recently being in the running to take charge of West Ham Women in the WSL.

Shiels' stock is currently high after he guided Northern Ireland to the Women's Euro 2022 play-offs and to the brink of qualifying for a first major tournament. The fact that Northern Ireland finished above Wales in their group to claim the play-off spot would give Shiels the edge over Ludlow if those selecting the GB coach decide to go down that road.

"I haven't heard anything about the Olympic role or had any contact," said Shiels.

"It is the type of thing that any coach would be interested in. The Olympics is the pinnacle for sportsmen and women and it is the same for coaches.

"It would be a great honour to be put in charge of the Great Britain women's football team and it's the kind of thing you don't turn down."

It is the English FA who will choose the coach and while they have already named Dutch woman Sarina Wiegman as Neville's successor as England manager, she is still in charge of the Netherlands national side and will lead them into the Olympics before taking over the England team.

Tokyo will see a GB women's team play in the Olympics for only the second time after making their debut when London hosted the Games in 2012.

Northern Ireland goalkeeper Emma Higgins was named as a reserve for that particular squad.

Kenny Shiels could manage Great Britain women for Olympic Games as Phil Neville set for Inter Miami job

Latest International

Latest from Belfast Telegraph