With the recent exit of Vera Pauw, the FAI have announced that they are in search of a new suitable coach for the Women’s National Team. This has sparked the interest of ex-Nigeria Women’s National Team’s head coach Randy Waldrum.
Waldrum began coaching Nigeria’s Super Falcons in 2020 after leaving the US women’s college soccer team of the University of Pittsburgh. Waldrum led the Nigerian team to the last 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where his side also faced Ireland in the pool stages which ended in a goalless draw.
In an interview with the Irish Daily Star, Waldrum stated that he is aware of the articles coming from Ireland mentioning some names, but is unsure if they would want him as coach. He confirms that if “the phone rang”, he would be “interested in the conversation”.
Randy Waldrum, a coach from Texas, wants to be the next Republic of Ireland manager@markmccadden https://t.co/KAZvYxnIrW
— Irish Star US (@IrishStarUS) August 31, 2023
“I think that’s all anybody wants; to take on a project where they are serious about it and are willing to commit to the development of the women’s game.”
Waldrum also revealed that he has been following the progression of the Irish team over the past few years, specifically paying attention to the two fixtures against the US.
Waldrum explained that he is impressed with the talent that the Irish Women’s National Team has to offer and believes that there is enough talent present to play more attacking football. He also stated his opinion of how Ireland were unlucky not to get out of the Canada match with a result: “But I also respect the fact of the way they played, because of the group they were in.”
As for Waldrum’s own situation with Nigeria, reports emerged locally on Tuesday, 29 August suggesting that the NFF had decided to part ways with Waldrum. However, he has yet to be informed officially whether or not they would like him to lead the country into their Olympic qualifier fixture against Ethiopia in October.
