Kenny Shiels 'angry' and 'shocked' at manager rejections but now back in the game

Kenny Shiels has been left “angry” and “shocked”​ by the run of rejections for vacant international and club management positions since his January exit as Northern Ireland Women’s boss.
By Patrick Van Dort
Published 23rd Oct 2023, 18:03 BST
Updated 23rd Oct 2023, 22:41 BST
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​Shiels, 67, returned to the game this week as manager of Moyola Park – a club in the third tier of Irish League football – with an ambition to grow his local outfit across youth and first-team levels.

The appointment arrives as his first since a departure from the Northern Ireland senior women’s post during which he helped guide the international side to a landmark maiden major tournament finals appearance at Euro 2022.

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After close to four decades in management at roles across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Thailand, Shiels is relishing the challenge at Moyola Park, a club he views “with good emotions”.

Kenny Shiels, pictured as manager of Northern Ireland Women during the Euro 2022 finals, has returned to the game with a position at Irish League club Moyola Park. (Photo by Ben Stansall/AFP)Kenny Shiels, pictured as manager of Northern Ireland Women during the Euro 2022 finals, has returned to the game with a position at Irish League club Moyola Park. (Photo by Ben Stansall/AFP)
Kenny Shiels, pictured as manager of Northern Ireland Women during the Euro 2022 finals, has returned to the game with a position at Irish League club Moyola Park. (Photo by Ben Stansall/AFP)

However, Shiels has opened up over disappointment at failure to secure much sooner a shot back into the sport despite offering what he terms “innovation and experience” and a CV superior to many of those appointed at his expense.

"I’ve been ignored really and it’s amazing to me when I see some people getting jobs and I look at my CV,” said Shiels. “At times I couldn’t believe getting turned down as I think after close to 37 years in management my track record would deserve more respect.

"I’ve applied without success for jobs in the Irish League, international football and even Australia.

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"It has left me angry and shocked, to be honest, but I’ve refused to give up and am now delighted to be in a position at Moyola Park to help grow this club.

"I consider myself a manager with modern ideas, someone who can bring innovation and experience to the table.”

Recovery from a major ankle operation will restrict Shiels’ immediate hands-on influence but he has long-term plans for Moyola Park.

"Moyola Park is a local club and I’ve been working with the youth in a voluntary role over the past year,” he said. “My first priority is to improve the first team but want to extend myself beyond just that squad and help establish and develop the right pathways from youth level up..

"It has to be done in the right way and I’m excited for the future.”

Related topics:Republic of IrelandScotlandThailandAustralia