Kenny Shiels motivator not magician behind Northern Ireland’s EURO 2022 history

The 66-year-old manager may stand as the guiding hand shaping Northern Ireland women’s football to unprecedented heights at international level but it is in the role of motivator not magician.

Last February, Northern Ireland players stood with autograph books open aiming to collect, alongside experience from the friendly trip to St George’s Park, the signatures of an England side tipped by many as Euro 2022 favourites.

In 10 days’ time many of those same Northern Ireland players will stand in St Mary’s Stadium ready to face England as equals within the coveted pool of 16-strong Euro 2022 finalists.

Lining out in Southampton for group games with Norway (July 7) and Austria (July 11) before tackling England will create another landmark in a rise decorated with milestone moments for a group of Northern Ireland players ranked 59th in the world at the time of Shiels’ May 2019 appointment.

Although proud of his contribution to date in such a special story which has offered women’s football in Northern Ireland a significant boost that could produce a positive impact on generations, a look at Shiels’ track record will highlight a career defined by the pursuit of progress beyond measure and desire to demand his players exceed expectations.

Now in his fifth decade of management, Shiels has a track record of taking teams beyond previous markers - from against-the-odds trophy success or European qualification at club level to helping Northern Ireland men’s under 17s reach a first European Championships tournament.

His thirst for knowledge and passion for the game remain as rich as ever and he is relishing the chance to help his players showcase the spirit at the heart of success so far alongside Europe’s finest.

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