A major overhaul of the Newcastle United Women’s team set-up has now been revealed.
An official announcement from the club on Monday bringing the news.
The club statement beginning: ‘Newcastle United Women can confirm a number of appointments to Tanya Oxtoby’s coaching staff ahead of the 2026/27 season. Stuart McLaren joins the club as Assistant Manager, having previously held the same position during Tanya’s time with Northern Ireland. The pair also worked together at Scotland when Stuart was Interim Head Coach in 2021. Charlie Cave has arrived from Charlton Athletic to take up the position of Assistant Head Coach. During his time with the Addicks, Charlie also supported Tanya on international camps with Northern Ireland as Assistant Coach.’
The club adding: ‘Also joining the first team set up is Rachel Furness. Following her retirement at the end of the 2024/25 season, Rachel took on the role of Under-16s Head Coach and now makes the step up to the first team as Assistant Coach. In May, Barry Richardson was appointed as Head of Goalkeeping having previously spent time in the men’s game with a host of clubs including Doncaster Rovers, Hull City and Nottingham Forest. Stephen Brass remains in his position as Goalkeeper Coach after joining at the start of the 2024/25 season.’
As well as the additions, the Newcastle United Women’s team also seeing some departures from their set up: ‘The club can confirm that Claire Ditchburn and Luke Thomas-Arayo have departed their roles, and thanks them for their efforts during their time with the Magpies.’
Newcastle United Women’s team manager Tanya Oxtoby commenting: “I am really pleased to be adding Stuart and Charlie to the staffing group. They are familiar with my way of working and understand what a high performing environment entails and how to win. With the new season starting, now felt like the right time to bring them into our environment. Furney is someone that I coached during my time with Northern Ireland, and she has done a fantastic job with the Under-16s here at Newcastle. She is a talented coach, with a bright future, and of course brings that Geordie passion with her. Barry brings extensive experience with him having worked in the men’s game for a number of years. He joined us at the end of last season and has settled in well with the goalkeeper’s union, alongside Brassy. I would like to thank those that have departed for their efforts during their time at the club.”
Last (2025/26) season saw a half-hearted effort from the club when it came to potential promotion to the top tier, the Women’s Super League.
The likes of Birmingham City invested serious money (by second tier women’s football standards) that saw them go up as champions. They invested heavily during the season especially, bringing in Super League level players to ensure they went up.
For whatever reasons this didn’t happen with our club and the Newcastle United Women’s team. It was especially strange the lack of ambitious spending last season, as a reorganisation meant that three of the 12 second tier clubs could be promoted. Birmingham and Crystal Palace were automatically promoted and finishing third, Charlton won a play-off against the bottom Super League club Leicester. This 2026/27 season only the champions of the second tier are automatically promoted, then potentially the second placed club if winning a play-off.
Friends of mine who know far more about women’s football have told me previous to today’s announcement, that the club now appear far more serious about getting the Newcastle United Women’s team into the Super League, with high level player signings having already arrived.
Today’s official announcement about the coaching set-up appears to significantly back up that belief.
Good luck to the Newcastle United Women’s team this coming season.