TV and radio host Laura Woods is the latest to blast Northern Ireland Women’s manager Kenny Shiels after he claimed women are “more emotional” than men. Shiels’ remarks came after his team lost 5-0 to England in front of more than 15,000 at Windsor Park. Speaking in his post-match press conference, he said: “I felt [England] were struggling a wee bit at times to open us up until the psychology of going 2-0 up in the women’s game. “I’m sure you will have noticed if you go through the patterns – when a team concedes a goal, they concede a second one in a very, very short space of time. â€œ[It happens] right through the whole spectrum of the women’s game, because girls and women are more emotional than men. So, they take a goal going in not very well.”

Woods criticises Shiels

A number of people have condemned Shiels’ words, including former Arsenal and England star Ian Wright, who said the Norther Irish boss was “talking foolishness.” 

And Woods has now echoed Wright’s thoughts and offered her own scathing assessment of the incident. 

While talking on the talkSPORT Breakfast, host Woods said: “I’m hoping not to react in too much of an emotional way for Kenny [Shiels] to digest this one. 

“I think I’ve seen more teams capitulate across a broad spectrum of games in men’s and women’s football – I dont think it’s got anything to do with emotion, necessarily.

​​“What I do think it might have something to do with, is that England are ranked eighth in the world and Northern Ireland are 46th, so I’m just going to say that’s got something to do with your team getting pumped by the Lionesses, perhaps?

“I think that’s a really silly observation to make and it’s not going to go down well.”

Co-host and former Aston Villa skipper Gabby Agbonlahor could sense Woods was holding in her anger and said: “You’re counting to ten in your head, aren’t you Laura?”

“I really am,” Woods replied. “It’s just my emotions, they might get the better of me!

“And I tell you who won’t appreciate it – his players,” added Woods. “Maybe it’s got more to do with the way you’re managing your team, Kenny!

“I choose to laugh at it, really, because it’s just so ridiculous.

“It’s definitely got more to do with the way your team is set up, and the fact the women’s game in England is leaps and bounds ahead of the game in many other countries. You just have to look at these World Cup qualifying games as proof of that.”

Shiels issues apology

After widespread backlash to his comments, Shiels has now apologised. In a statement, he said: “I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night. I am sorry for the offence they have caused. 

“Last night was a special occasion for the women’s game in Northern Ireland and I am proud to manage a group of players who are role models for so many girls, and boys, across the country. 

“I am an advocate for the women’s game and passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to flourish.” 

Northern Ireland Women’s captain Marissa Callaghan has also stressed that the team will stand by Shiels. 

“In light of recent events, collectively we stand by our manager,” she said. “We feel his interview was in relation to a meeting we had as a team where we analysed that we concede goals in quick succession and emotions was one of the many things we discussed.”