Colin Bell named Republic of Ireland Women's Head Coach

Colin Bell announced as new Republic of Ireland Women's International Senior Team Head Coach

Former SC Sand manager Colin Bell will take over as Head Coach to the Republic of Ireland Senior Women’s side on 13 February.

Leicester native Bell makes the switch from Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga where he had a very successful spell in charge of FFC Frankfurt, winning the DFB-Pokal der Frauen (German Women's Cup) in 2014. The following season, he led Frankfurt to victory in the 2015 UEFA Women’s Champions League. Colin also managed SC 07 Bad Neuenahr in the Frauen Bundesliga and at Norwegian team Avaldsnes IL.

After failing to break into Leicester’s first eleven, Bell left for Germany in 1982. He played for VfL Hamm and FSV Mainz before retiring in 1989. He held various coaching and management roles in men’s soccer, most notably at TuS Koblenz, Koln and Dynamo Dresden. During a coaching stint at Mainz, he worked with a young Jurgen Klopp. His first Frauen Bundesliga appointment was in 2011.

The Republic of Ireland Women's Senior Team lies 34th in the FIFA Women's World Rankings. Bell is motivated to help Ireland to qualify for a major tournament for the first time.

"I'm very proud to be given this opportunity to lead the Republic of Ireland Women's Senior Team and I regard it as a big honour," he said.

"I will do my very best to help women's football in Ireland continue to grow and to make it more attractive to young girls, who can have the dream of playing football at a high level.”

"I want to help the Women's Senior Team to become role models for young girls to look up to and I want to instil the values of the FAI into this job as I aim to be as successful as I can be.”

"It is a dream come true to be given the opportunity to become a national team coach and it is something during my 27 years coaching that I always wanted to be. Now, I'm looking forward to getting started." 

FAI CEO, John Delaney, is convinced the selection of Bell demonstrates the Association’s determination to compete with the best teams in Europe and beyond.

"We have made huge strides in the development of women's football, particularly at underage level and with our Emerging Talent Programme, but it's time to take that next step at senior level," said Mr. Delaney.

"Recently, the FAI have made some really important appointments at international level and Colin's arrival continues that trend as we maintain our pursuit for excellence with each of our teams and to qualify for major tournaments.”

"Colin will bring a fresh approach and a winning mentality, so I'm looking forward to the years ahead with Colin in charge of the Women's Senior Team."

FAI High Performance Director, Ruud Dokter, concurred: "I'm very excited about the appointment.”

"It is important to note that Colin was chosen ahead of a number of excellent candidates, which shows how attractive the position was. Developing women's football is a key priority for the FAI and this appointment shows our commitment to that.”

"Along with his role with the Women's Senior Team, Colin will also work closely with the Head of Women's Football and our High Performance department to connect with all clubs, leagues and all strands of women's football to further enhance our development in those areas.

"This is a new start for the Women's Senior Team and I look forward to working closely with Colin."

FAI Women's Football Committee Chairperson, Niamh O'Donoghue, stresses the equal importance of the development of women's football as a whole along with winning games at senior level.

"I would like to extend a warm welcome to Colin and wish him the best of luck in his new role. Leading the Women's Senior Team is an incredibly important duty and Colin will have the full support of the Women's Football Committee," said Niamh.

"The Women's Senior Team are at the highest point on the women's football pyramid and we hope that the team, under Colin's guidance, can continue to inspire the next generation of girls around the country to play football."

Colin Bell’s new charges are in Group B of next month’s Cyprus Cup alongside Czech Republic, Hungary and Wales. The game against Czech Republic on 1 March will be Bell’s first competitive match as Head Coach.

He will be at the helm for the home friendly against Slovakia on Monday, April 10 in Tallaght Stadium.

Bell succeeds Sue Ronan whose six-year term ended in 2016. The FAI will host a Press Conference at the Aviva Stadium on Monday 13 February to officially unveil Colin Bell in his new role.