Page 8 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.9 2020-21

Stuart McLaren has been appointed Scotland Women's National Team Interim Head Coach
for the forthcoming fixtures against Cyprus and Portugal.
Following the departure of Shelley Kerr, the Scottish FA National Youth Team coach
will take charge for the final two matches of the UEFA EURO 2022 qualifying campaign,
whilst the association continues its recruitment process for a permanent Head Coach.
McLaren enjoyed a 14-year playing career, featuring for clubs in Australia, Scotland,
Hong Kong and Malaysia. He also worked in the Queensland Academy of Sport's women's
football programme. Stuart took charge of Stirling Albion in 2014 after retiring from Perth
Glory and joined the association as Coach Education & Development Manager in 2016, during
which time he successfully completed his UEFA Pro Licence.
McLaren was appointed as National Youth Team coach in 2018 - leading the Scotland
Under-16s to their Victory Shield win in 2019 - and has mentored many of the women's
national team players through their coach education journeys.
Stuart McLaren told www.scottishfa.co.uk: "I am delighted to be given the
opportunity to lead the women's national team on an interim basis as the squad look to
refocus and set their sights on competing at a major tournament once again.
"The team were obviously incredibly disappointed not to qualify for the Euros but
now we have the chance to ensure we end the campaign on a high and bring back the feel good
factor surrounding the squad before the new Head Coach is appointed.
"The women's team have done incredibly well over the last few years, inspiring a
nation and I am excited about being given the opportunity to make a positive impact in the
short time I have with the squad, providing the players with the necessary support and
guidance."
Scottish FA's Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said: "Stuart brings a wealth of experience
into his role as Interim Head Coach, having been involved at a variety of levels within the game.
"He has excelled within the Scottish FA since joining in November 2016 and his
coaching abilities are highly regarded throughout the country.
"The process to appoint a new head coach of the Scotland Women's National Team is
well under way and having Stuart taking over as Interim Head Coach allows us more time to
select the best candidate ahead of the Women's World Cup Qualifiers beginning later this
year."
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)

Leanne Crichton has announced that she has retired from international football. Capped 72
times by her country, the midfielder made her debut in 2006 before going on to represent
Scotland at EURO 2017 and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019. Ahead of the upcoming
qualifiers against Cyprus and Portugal she has decided to call time on her international career.
Aged 33, Crichton will now focus on her club football as she aims to retain the SWPL
title with Glasgow City. The midfielder, who played for Notts County for a spell in the FA
WSL, also has a promising media career north of the border as a presenter and pundit with
BBC Scotland.
Leanne explained to www.scottishfa.co.uk: "It's been something I've thought about
for quite a while now, and processed it over a number of months.
"During this time when the women's game has stopped in Scotland it's given me an
opportunity to think about what my future holds as well as prioritise the next steps. As much
as it's a tough decision and one I haven't taken easily, I know in my heart I'm content with it.
It's exciting to think how far the team can go but for me personally, I've probably given as
much as I possibly can. I now want to focus on my club football."
Issue no. 9 - 4 February 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk