Kieran Lee-Birch has been announced as the new head coach of The New Saints, currently fourth in the Genero Adran Premier.
Lee-Birch was previously the club’s academy manager – and on his appointment, a statement read that it reflected “the club’s strategy of applying the same high-performance standards, long-term planning, and professional infrastructure that have driven sustained success in the men’s game and the boys’ academy to the women’s and girls’ pathway.”
Lee-Birch said to the club’s official website: “I’m proud to be appointed head coach of The New Saints Women. There’s a lot of good work already in place, and my focus is on building on that alongside Jack [Ellis] and Mikey [Harris, both coaches], continuing to develop the players and pushing the team forward in a positive direction.”
The club’s chief operating officer Ian Williams said: “The success of our men’s team and the strength of our boys’ academy provide a clear blueprint. As we conclude our Women and Girls five-year plan to 2025, our focus now turns to our 2030 vision – applying the same ambition, professionalism, and competitive mindset to the women’s and girls’ game so we can challenge domestically and compete in UEFA competitions.”
The New Saints: Their season so far
Lee-Birch replaces Jodie Williams, who stepped down in November 2025 from her position coaching the first team as well as leading the women’s and girls’ programme at the club.
Williams herself was appointed to replace Shauna Duffy, who left the club at the end of the 2024-25 season to take up a position in the FA’s talent pathway.
The New Saints’ next match is away against Swansea City in the Genero Adran Premier on Sunday, 4th January.
The New Saints have enjoyed some success in the cups recently, progressing to the semi-finals of the Genero Adran Trophy – a competition in which they are defending champions – and the quarter-finals of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup last month.
However, their last win in the league came in November, when they beat Briton Ferry Llansawel 3-2.
