Page 3 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.8 2021-22

Glasgow City name new Head Coach

Glasgow City Football Club are delighted to announce
the appointment of Eileen Gleeson as Head Coach. The
UEFA Pro Licence Holder has signed a two-year
agreement with the Scottish Champions and will
commence in her new post on 8th November, taking
over from Interim Head Coach Grant Scott.
Gleeson, who is currently Assistant Manager
with the Republic of Ireland Women's A squad, will
step down from her international role after Ireland's
upcoming 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying
double header against Sweden and Finland later this
month.
The impact Gleeson has had to have on an ever improving Ireland national team is
complimented by her domestic achievements, where she managed Peamount United to six
trophies, including leading the team to the treble in 2010, before winning the inaugural
Women's National League the following season. She also made her mark in Europe, becoming
the first coach to manage an Irish side to the knockout stages of the UEFA Women's
Champions League, when she guided Peamount to the last 32 of the UWCL, where they were
eventually defeated by French giants, Paris Saint Germain in season 2011-12.
Gleeson also managed at UCD Waves, earning runners up spots in both the 2014-15
league and 2014 FAI Women's Cup. She left to focus on her PHD studies in 2017.
Commenting on the appointment of the new Head Coach, Glasgow City Chief
Executive Laura Montgomery said: "I am delighted to be able to announce Eileen as our
incoming new Head Coach. I made no secret some months ago, that this was not a position
we would be advertising. We have had a clear plan for some time regarding succession at our
Football Club and were prepared to play the long game to ensure we got the candidate we were
after.
"I first met Eileen over five years ago and have known since then that I would want her
to be Head Coach of our Football Club one day. Her football knowledge, player management
skills and attention to detail is in my opinion unrivalled, and you only have to look at the PhD
she is about complete, based on decision making in elite football, to know that she is not only
an intelligent woman, but one who's own thirst for knowledge and to improve is impressive.
"Whilst we are soon to welcome Eileen to the club, I need to say a massive thank you to
Grant Scott, who has been nothing short of fantastic for us. He is an excellent coach and
incredibly well thought of at this club. Like Eileen, Grant was again my only choice to ask to
be Interim Head Coach for us, to help us through this transition period and one that I am so
delighted he accepted. He remains an incredibly important part of this club and I would
certainly like to think that this won't be the last few weeks we work together."
Eileen Gleeson commented on taking up the role of Head Coach: "I am honoured to be
taking the role of Glasgow City Head coach. For many years I have admired the progressive,
ambitious, and inclusive values promoted by Glasgow City and their ongoing commitment to
providing opportunities and pathways for girls and women to participate at all levels of the
game.
"Glasgow City are a trail blazing club who continue to push boundaries, and drive
standards in Scottish Women's Football and beyond as demonstrated by their unrivalled
success both on and off the pitch. I am delighted to be part of such a club where winning ways
are driven by a culture of high standards and a refusal to stand still.
"I want to add to Glasgow City's success and will be very ambitious about this. While
winning will always be important it is more important that we reflect the club's values both on
and off the pitch. I am very excited to get started in the role and to continue to build on the
excellent work of all involved to date. "
Photo courtesy of Tommy Hughes/GCFC
Issue no. 8 - 21 October 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk