Scotland women: Mick McArdle appointed interim head coach for Nations League openers
2025-01-20
Category: sports

Michael McArdle has been appointed interim head coach of Scotland women's national team while the Scottish FA continue their search for a permanent successor to Pedro Martinez Losa.The Spaniard left his role last month after failing to qualify for Euro 2025, in addition to missing out on the 2023 World Cup, with McArdle now set to oversee the Scots' opening Nations League games next month.Former Ayr United assistant McArdle, who is the head of women's elite football for the SFA, will take charge as the national team return to action, after failing to reach a third major tournament in a row, away to Austria on 21 February before hosting the Netherlands four days later in League A.As part of his current position, McArdle has been head coach of the under-19 and under-17 international youth teams and has been responsible for identifying and developing talent and creating pathways to the national team. 
McArdle has been in position for two years since joining from Scottish Premiership side St Mirren, where he was head of coaching.He gained his Uefa Pro Licence in 2022 and has guided both the under-19 and under-17 teams through to round two of qualifiers for this summer's European Championship finals at their respective age levels.Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said McArdle "has excelled" since joining the SFA and his appointment will allow Scotland "to move forward during a period of transition"."Having Michael step in as interim head coach means that we can fully prepare for the upcoming Nations League games while the recruitment process for a permanent head coach continues," he told the SFA website."It's important that the women's national team get off to a strong start in the Nations League and we believe that bringing Michael in with the knowledge and expertise he has will allow us to move forward during a period of transition."