Everton Women have appointed Stephen Neligan as an assistant to new manager Brian Sorensen.
Australian Neligan reunites with Sorensen, whose appointment as boss was confirmed back in April, after the pair originally worked together at both FC Nordsjaelland and Fortuna Hjorring in Denmark.
His arrival completes Sorensen’s technical staff which includes Assistant Manager Chris Roberts and Goalkeeping Coach Ian McCaldon.
Neligan played for clubs in the New South Wales and Brisbane Premier Leagues, before switching his focus to coaching following a spell playing in the Gold Coast Premier League more than a decade ago.
Everton launch their 2022/23 Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign in September, six weeks after the conclusion of the ongoing England-hosted European Championship.
Neligan said: “Everton is a massive club and I’m delighted to be here. I’m excited to continue working with Brian and implementing the football that we are looking to play with the team.
“We will share responsibilities along with Chris. I will focus a lot on the individual training but also be around the team with the decision-planning.
“We are looking forward to supporting the players and helping Everton progress.”
Neligan has experience in charge of senior teams in his homeland and, prior to moving to Denmark, had three years overseeing the acclaimed First Phase Football academy in Sydney, coaching a number of Australia international stars during his time at the facility in the city’s Seven Hills suburb.
Sorensen took Neligan to Nordsjaelland as Head of Individual Development for the Women’s Football Department in August 2020.
The two men moved to Fortuna Hjorring the following summer, Neligan in the position of Assistant Coach, and led the club to second in the Danish top division in 2021/22.
Sorensen arrived in England last month, sounding his intent to mould an “aggressive and proactive” Everton team, capable of returning the Club to the WSL’s upper reaches.
The Dane views Neligan’s capture as an integral part of that process and, after confirmation of the appointment, said: "I’m very happy to continue working with Steven. I’ve worked with him for two years and he suits the way I like to work.
"He’s very organised and very detail-orientated. He has been brought in as a performance coach but he’s also going to be an assistant. He will do individual training but also involved in the team training.”
On Roberts and McCaldon, Sorensen added: “I only have good things to say about Chris. The time we’ve spent together has been a pleasure. He’s a good guy and his football knowledge is extensive. I’m happy that in him we have someone who knows the league, knows the players and I’ll be able to benefit from his experience.
“Ian is a great person, too. He’s very knowledgeable and one of the best goalkeeper coaches I’ve come across. I’m looking forward to building our relationship.”
