Throughout his football career, McArdle has served in various coaching, academy, and development roles.
Prior to his appointment with Northern Ireland, he led the Scottish FA’s elite women’s football programme and briefly acted as interim head coach of the senior side.
Although confidence exists, McArdle recognizes he is building for the long term, evident in a youthful squad that has suffered several injuries among its senior players.
His initial two international windows followed each other closely, yielding wins over Malta before defeats to Turkey and Switzerland; the summer break gave him the opportunity to engage with Northern Ireland’s Women’s Premiership, forging connections with players and league stakeholders.
“I was still learning who they are as individuals, not just as players, which made building those relationships essential,” he said.
“Beyond the players, I’ve also sought to understand the head coaches and club board members, aiming to determine how I can support them and contribute to club development, the domestic league, and player pathways.”
