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Press Eye
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McArdle secured victories in his first two matches leading Northern Ireland during April’s double-header against Malta
Northern Ireland head coach Michael McArdle has emphasized that “individual context” is crucial when deciding whether his players are better off playing regularly in domestic leagues or seeking moves to higher-level competitions across the water where game time may be limited.
Cliftonville announced on Tuesday that Northern Ireland internationals Danielle Maxwell and Louise McDaniel have rejoined the club following a spell with third-tier English side Burnley.
Both players had previously played in England and opted to return home, with consistent minutes at the Reds helping them maintain their international status.
While McArdle encourages players to challenge themselves and move to more professional settings, he insists on remaining open to individual circumstances and selecting in-form players from the Women’s Premiership.
“I spoke to both [Louise and Danielle] and other players during camp, and I mentioned there are various aspects to consider as a head coach,” he said.
“That was a key discussion with players coming out of contract, those with good game time, and others who struggled to break into the environment and need immediate exposure. My interpretation is always the person first—it’s about the individual context.
“For some players, the question was, ‘What do you specifically need right now?’
“Sometimes it’s about self-esteem—’I need to find myself again and build confidence’—or ‘this club and environment are perfect for me.’ That could be domestically, abroad, or elsewhere in the UK.
“There are other players who need a challenge, to push themselves and reach the next level—that’s a slightly different context. There’s no template saying ‘this is what you must do.’ There’s individual context, and I’m big on that.
“There is no right or wrong, no linear path. We can’t be too black and white—that’s our approach.”
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McArdle’s team will likely need to navigate two two-legged playoffs to qualify for their first-ever World Cup in 2027
McArdle made these remarks during a visit to Northern Ireland to watch the Under-17 Women’s Euros being hosted in the country.
He added that he has “sneaked into” a few Women’s Premiership matches as he gets acquainted with domestic players and broadens his selection pool—something he believes is essential for the future.
“For me, it’s important that players at all levels know there is an opportunity,” he said.
“Attending some games, there is unseen talent. You can see things on screen, but we don’t have enough data covering the domestic game, so it’s hard to compare players to those in the WSL 2 or SWPL. Seeing players in person is really important—it could be that missing piece that gives them their chance.”
McArdle will lead Northern Ireland in their final two World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Switzerland in June.
After two wins over Malta in his first games in charge, McArdle’s team sit third in Group B2, one point behind Turkey in second.
Third place will secure a playoff spot, though the path to the tournament in Brazil will be difficult. Northern Ireland are unseeded and must go through two rounds of two-legged ties.
While McArdle believes the new qualifying format—linked to Nations League performance—can be “fruitful” if you win your group, he acknowledged that it has become more challenging for smaller nations like Northern Ireland to reach major tournaments.