Fallon ready to take the next step as Lionesses’ new manager

DUBLINER Lisa Fallon has described her appointment as the manager of London City Lionesses as a seminal moment in her career.

The Lionesses are a fully professional club in the FA Women’s Championship – the second tier of the game across the water.

It’s the latest step up the ladder for the former broadcast journalist who has steadily built her profile in the coaching sphere in both men’s and women’s football.

Fallon (right) leaves a role on the backroom of Women’s Super

League side Chelsea to take over the Lionesses who were fourth in the table before their season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis.

The UEFA Pro Licence holder has made waves over the past decade by working with a variety of sides at a range of levels.

She was initially recommended for a role with the Shamrock Rovers women’s side by the former men’s team manager Michael O’Neill.

Fallon managed in the Leinster Senior League, while working as an opposition analyst with Northern Ireland and also with Cork City and she eventually graduated into a coaching role with the Leesiders under John Caulfield.

Her skills were also adapted to the GAA field as well where she offered advice to then Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice before joining Jim Gavin’s backroom team with Dublin.

The Lionesses statement announcing her appointment said that she had played an “integral” role in their 2018 All-Ireland success.

Fallon said: “This is a seminal moment in my career and an extremely proud day for me and everyone who has helped me through my career to date. I would like to thank Diane [Culligan – Lionesses chairwoman] and the Board for giving me this opportunity.

“I was drawn to the ambition of the clubandBoard–togetherIamsure that we will take this club forward.

The squad is exciting with lots of potential and we are all looking forward to getting back out on the grass and back to training. Finally, and most importantly, I would like to talk directly to the supporters – we’ll be a hard-working, attacking team that will continue to make you proud.”

Culligan said: “Lisa has an excellent pedigree in football, not only in the women’s game but the men’s too and I consider the Lionesses very fortunate to have someone with her knowledge, experience and integrity leading us.”

Her assistant Melissa Phillips has relocated from the University of Pennsylvania.