Dean Shiels has been named as the new manager of Danske Bank Premiership side Dungannon Swifts.
Shiels moves into the hotseat on a two-and-a-half year deal to replace Kris Lindsay who parted ways with the club last month, with recent games being looked after by interim boss Dixie Robinson.
It is a first senior managerial position for the 36-year-old but he brings a rich footballing pedigree to the role. He is, of course, the son of Northern Ireland Women's National Team manager Kenny Shiels and has been acting as assistant to his father in guiding the side to their first ever European Championship qualifying play-offs.
As a player Dean picked up 14 senior international caps (scoring once against Luxembourg) and had played professionally for a number of clubs, including Rangers, Kilmarnock, Dunfermline Athletic and Hibernian in Scotland. His career also saw him spend time at Doncaster Rovers, Canadian side FC Edmonton plus Dundalk and Derry City.
Shiels ended his playing days a couple of seasons ago with Coleraine, currently managed by his brother-in-law Oran Kearney.
Announcing the appointment on the official club website, chairman Keith Boyd said: "I’m delighted that Dean has agreed to become our new manager. He has been getting rave reviews as a coach with the Senior Women’s International team and I’m sure he will bring the experience he has gathered from that into the job. I’m really looking forward to working alongside him and I wish him every success!"
And Shiels is looking forward to getting started at Stangmore Park.
"I’m delighted to join Dungannon Swifts, from the moment I met with the club it felt the right decision for me and I’m grateful to Keith and the board for the opportunity," he said.
"The club is going through a difficult period on the pitch at this moment and I’m fully aware of the challenge ahead but I’m excited to take it head on. I have a strong belief on how the game should be played and I will guarantee I will give everything to put a team on the pitch to compete and be successful."
