Latest news with #ProLicence
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Alison McConnell: Why timing of Crichton's Rangers switch is bizarre
Crichton completed her UEFA Pro Licence this summer and, as well as BBC media work, she has coached with Motherwell and City since retiring. Taking over at Rangers will be her first time not as a sidekick but at the wheel. Few would begrudge her the chance to take on what is clearly a huge role as she takes over from Jo Potter. But the timing of the appointment will be a source of some consternation. Rangers headed to Italy this week for the last lap of pre-season, with Crichton still in position at Petershill with City. Given the fact that the season kicks off in just over a fortnight, the lack of a compensation agreement prior meant that Crichton was still in at City this week as her new charges went through their paces under the sun in Italy. It is a bizarre turn of events. It would have been in everyone's best interests for Crichton to cut ties with a City side that – in a matter of weeks - she will now be in direct competition for when it comes to a title fight. Read more: Clearly, City are well within their rights to hold out for an adequate compensation package given that they are losing an assistant manager a fortnight before the season kicks off. They are also right to feel irked at losing a key member of their managerial team to their rivals. In truth, there are few surprises really in the SWPL given how often teams play one another, but being privy to the preparations and plans for the season before heading to Rangers will have aggrieved City. But from Crichton's perspective, barely getting her feet under the desk before the curtain comes up on the new campaign means that she is straight into it. She inherits a team that have lost six first-team players, including the fairly prolific Rio Hardy, so will have ample work to do in order to have a squad ready for what lies ahead. The understanding is that Crichton was identified by the Rangers hierarchy as having what they wanted to take the club forward following Potter's departure. That may well mean that the candidates who made applications for the job were not deemed up to standard or that finances were not on the same page from those, but it seems odd that the decision was not made some weeks back. That would have alleviated some of the stress as the clock now ticks loudly ahead of an opening weekend where Rangers are away to Montrose. On the pitch is where she will be judged with the remit for Crichton very much the same as it is for Russell Martin; go and win the league. AND ANOTHER THING Elsie Cook has written her story – 'A Kiss fae Pele' – with Tom Brown, a book that went on sale on Friday, priced at £22. Most will be well aware of her role within Scottish women's football and it is only fitting that she should be inducted into the SFA Hall of Fame. Better late than never. But in amongst the tales of meeting Pele and gaining the respect of Jock Stein, what resonated was the tremendous personal cost that came with what can only be described as a vocation to football. Written in the Ayrshire vernacular, her tale of heading to Edinburgh, two small kids in tow, to hand in her notice as secretary of the SWFA after her husband had essentially offered her an ultimatum, is quite something. The heaviness she felt abandoning the post and then the swiftness with which she accepted the manager's job at the same meeting had this reader cheering her all the way. But it is easy to forget the sheer strength of character that was necessary for women such as Elsie Cook to withstand the massive societal pressures around their involvement in football. Pushing through that to advocate for the rights of women and of girls to play football required not only courage of conviction but a bravery that is difficult to truly appreciate. AND FINALLY You may have heard that Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses successfully defended their status as European Champions with a penalty shoot-out win over Spain. Spare a thought for those Scottish based players who will return to the domestic fold in the next few weeks to hear all about it. But while all is rosy in England's garden, it illustrates that massive leaps that the game has taken south of the border will Scotland have fallen off the edge of a cliff. Melissa Andreatta will know that she has her work cut out for her as she looks to steer Scotland towards Brazil and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027. Qualification is imperative if Scotland are to push on in both a domestic and international sense.
Irish Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shelbourne confirm Joey O'Brien as Damien Duff's successor
Joey O'Brien tonight spoke of his pride after being confirmed as Damien Duff's successor at Shelbourne. O'Brien was Duff's assistant and has signed a long-term deal as manager. The former Ireland international will be in charge on Friday night against Cork City and into Wednesday's Champions League date with Linfield. O'Brien said: 'This is an incredible honour. It was unexpected, not something I was thinking about. 'The opportunity came up, I was asked to take it and I didn't take long to say yes. I'm obviously delighted to be given the chance and grateful for the trust shown in me. 'It's a privilege to be given this chance to continue the work that's been done over the last few years.' Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. O'Brien - who was in interim charge for Shels' last two games - continued: 'Leading Shelbourne is a huge honour and I feel very lucky 'I know first-hand what this club is about, and that's an advantage coming into the job. Over the last three-and-a-half years I've got to see this club grow. This place is full of special people, and fans who have seen it all and stood by the club through everything. 'I'm absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity - myself, the staff and the players we're proud to be the custodians of such an historic club. 'I'm excited to take this step. I've learned a huge amount over the last three-and-a-half years working under Damien, and ultimately, that experience has led to this moment. 'But it's not about me, it's all about the players. This is a proud moment for me, but the focus is on them and what we do together from here.' O'Brien was always the clear favourite for the job but there was red tape around Pro Licence requirements, but O'Brien is enrolling on the next course. Shels CEO Tomas Quinn - the former Dublin GAA star - said: 'Joey brings a deep understanding of the game, a wealth of top-level experience, and a clear vision.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
Irish Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Brentford selected Keith Andrews 'with their eyes open'
Stephen Bradley has hailed Keith Andrews' appointment as Brentford boss as a significant step forward for Irish managers. And the Shamrock Rovers supremo does not believe it is a bold or brave move by the Bees - rather a shrewd and considered appointment. 'They have made this decision with their eyes open and that should fill you with confidence if you're Keith,' said Bradley, who was on the same Pro Licence as Andrews. 'They have obviously seen something that they really, really like.' Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Andrews has succeeded new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank on a three-year deal despite having never managed before. He was Brentford's set piece coach and previously had coaching spells with Sheffield United and MK Dons, while he was also Stephen Kenny's assistant with Ireland. Bradley and Andrews enrolled on the same Pro Licence course, but Andrews had to step back after a period of time and defer to a later one due to work commitments. Bradley said: 'Brentford have always been bold and brave in what they've done. We all look at Thomas Frank now as an established, really good manager but he wasn't always. He was an assistant, he was 'B' team. 'The Sparta Prague manager we played against last year, he was 'B' team manager as well and was the next one to come in and got the Sparta offer. They do that regularly.' Bradley had a good working relationship with Brentford's former technical director Rob Rowan before his sad passing aged just 28 in 2018. 'He was the one who set all that in motion and they have stuck to their plan,' said Bradley of Brentford's model of promoting from within. 'If Brentford have given Keith that job, they've given it to him because they really believe in what he does and how he does it. 'They don't look to me like a club that makes rash decisions. They buy well, they sell well, they recruit good players, they recruit good managers and coaches. 'I can only imagine the amount of managers who would have wanted that job, so the fact they have gone straight for him is a massive vote of confidence.' And Bradley continued: 'You can see he is definitely a student of the game. 'He has played at a good level and has done his work in terms of coaching. 'You've seen him on Sky throughout the years and you know within a few minutes of people who do that job if they know what they're talking about, or bluffing. 'You see so many of them on the telly, who look good or have a name. But you can listen to him and know after a few minutes that he knows what he's talking about. 'I texted him today and I'm absolutely delighted, a young Irish manager in the Premier League and I just really, really want it to go well for him.' Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers put Monday's derby defeat to Bohemians behind them to beat Waterford 1-0 and extend their lead at the top to 11 points. But Aaron Greene is facing a spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury he shipped against Bohs, with Bradley unclear if the striker will be back in time for Europe. Bradley said: 'It's still a bit swollen so we have to wait until it comes down for it to be x-rayed and see what it looks like. It's very unlike Aaron so we're not sure.' The Hoops boss also revealed he has his eye on two transfer targets from outside the League of Ireland ahead of the window officially opening on Tuesday. Bradley added: 'There's one or two we're looking at and if they're a runner, we'll bring it to the board and see if we can do it.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
Belfast Telegraph
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Larne boss Nathan Rooney admits that there's one club he's hoping to avoid in European draw
Larne boss Nathan Rooney feels there would be a large slice of irony if this week's UEFA Conference League draw pitted the club with FCB Magpies – but he is hoping for a different assignment. Rooney left the side from Gibraltar back in November to take up the reins at Inver Park before it transpired issues with his Pro Licence meant he had to step aside for the second-half of the campaign.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Chhetri's return bad news for Indian football: Venkatesh
Venkatesh Shanmugam CHENNAI: Back in 2005, as the India captain, Venkatesh Shanmugam had urged a fading senior to step aside so that an eager 20-year-old Sunil Chhetri could get his chance. It was a bold call then. And now, with Chhetri stepping back onto the international stage after 'retirement', Venkatesh voices a deep-seated disappointment. The man who once cleared the path for Chhetri is left wondering why Indian football isn't doing the same for those waiting in the wings. 'Two decades ago, I told a senior player to hang up his boots so a young Sunil Chhetri could rise,' Venkatesh, who is currently the technical director at FC Madras, told TOI. 'But now, Chhetri breaking his retirement to come back is bad news for Indian football. It's demotivating for all the young players. I'm not blaming Chhetri. He will play only one or two matches. But if you bring a youngster and back him now, he will give 10 years. 'Indirectly, we are sending a message to everyone that we don't have players. We are seeing that a lot of grassroots programme have come and there are a lot of tournaments. Still, we are depending on the 40-year-old striker?' Venkatesh, a former assistant coach of the India senior team, didn't mince words on the chaos surrounding head coach Manolo Marquez, who had a dual role while coaching FC Goa and the national team. 'We are going 20 years back,' the star midfield of his time bluntly said. 'We have done this before. We failed when Armando Colaco was coach for both Dempo and the national team (in 2011). We have to bring a permanent coach. I respect all the coaches, including Manolo. But which coach will think about Indian football and take risks for it? That's a big question.' Venkatesh, who holds an AFC Pro Licence, explained the differences between coaching a club and steering a national team and how each demands a separate mindset and level of commitment. 'Thanks to the ISL (Indian Super League), they brought a lot of attention to football in India. But when you play in the ISL, the Indian players will play only against four foreigners. When we go for international games, you have to face eleven foreigners. The temperament is completely different. You can't compare ISL and international football. Tomorrow, if you play against a team like Korea, you need solid preparation. It's true Manolo has done well as an ISL coach and that's why AIFF thought he knew Indian football well. But international football is something different,' said Venkatesh. So, what's the way forward? For Venkatesh, it starts with looking beyond the obvious. 'I feel this is high time that Indian football bosses think seriously about building a second layer. There has to be a Team 'A' and a Team 'B'. Fill Team B with young players, give them time and space to grow. The only thing that separates a star from the rest is opportunity. And when there's pressure for places in the first team, it naturally brings out the best in players,' the 46-year-old said. Venkatesh is optimistic about the current bunch of Indian players. 'I can see that the current Indian players, in terms of technique and physicality, are very strong. If you see all the players, all the positions, you can see aggression. Indian football is more aggressive now,' said Venkatesh. Venkatesh also pointed out that there is a lack of a proper bridge between youth and senior levels. 'I feel we should concentrate more on the under-21 category, then only you will get a strong core for the future. There's a big gap post the under-19 level. Players are jumping straight into the senior team without proper progression. The under-21 level is the backbone of Indian football,' he said. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
