Diarmuid O’Carroll had been coach of Newcastle United's Under-21s
Diarmuid O’Carroll had been coach of Newcastle United's Under-21s
Today at 14:24
Diarmuid O’Carroll is staying on as part of Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland backroom team despite landing an ‘exciting opportunity’ as the new first team coach of top Czech club Sparta Prague.
The 38-year-old has left his role as Newcastle United’s Under-21 coach to take up his new position stating that coaching abroad has always been an aspiration.
O’Carroll also pointed out that he is keen to continue as a coach with Northern Ireland and is relishing the World Cup qualifiers later this year.
“Coaching abroad was always something I aspired to do, so when this opportunity arose it was something I couldn’t pass up,” O’Carroll told the Irish FA.
“Crucially, the role also allows me to continue on my journey with the Northern Ireland senior men’s team. I’m excited about this current crop of players and looking forward to the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.”
National team boss O’Neill has backed O’Carroll’s Czech appointment, saying: “I’m delighted for Diarmuid. He’s an excellent young coach, an important part of our set up, and this move will undoubtedly further his development.”
This is the latest move for O’Neill’s number two who joined Newcastle in September 2024 from St Mirren where he was assistant to former Northern Ireland player and coach Stephen Robinson.
The ex-Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker will work under former Danish international Brian Priske, who was named the new Sparta Prague manager earlier this month.
Newcastle United Academy Director Steve Harper, previously a goalkeeping coach with the Irish FA, said: “I’d like to thank Diarmuid for his time with us leading the under-21 group.
“The opportunity to work in Europe is an exciting one for him and we wish him the best of luck as his coaching career continues.”
O’Carroll has been part of O’Neill’s backroom staff since March 2023 becoming a key figure in developing the young Northern Ireland side.
In February 2021, the IFA named the ex-Cliftonville and Crusaders title winner as manager of Northern Ireland’s U19 and U17s teams only for it to be discovered that he did not possess a UEFA Pro Licence, which was part of the essential criteria for the role. He was later replaced by Gerard Lyttle who has since gone on to become Jim Magilton’s assistant at Solitude.
O’Carroll. who also played for Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts in the Irish League, didn’t let that disappointment impact him going on to work with Robinson at Motherwell, Morecambe and St Mirren earning a solid reputation in the process.
Not afraid to accept new challenges he previously managed the Crusaders and Glentoran Women’s teams and was a community development officer with the
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