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Tuesday, February 10, 2026

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Darbyshire to leave Cardiff City

Iain Darbyshire will step down as Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football at Cardiff City at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.

The announcement, made by the club, confirms that Darbyshire is set to pursue fresh opportunities overseas after six highly successful years at the helm of the Bluebirds.

Darbyshire oversaw a remarkable transformation during his tenure. Following a decade without major honours for the women's team, Cardiff City ended their trophy drought by claiming the Adran Premier title in 2023 under his guidance. They retained the league crown in 2024 as part of a domestic treble, before securing it once more in 2025 to cement a run of three consecutive championships.

His teams also dominated the cup competitions, lifting the Bute Energy Welsh Cup in four successive seasons (2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025) and adding the Adran Trophy in 2024. This sustained success has kept Cardiff City Women firmly in contention across all fronts as the current season enters its final stages.

The on-pitch achievements have opened doors to European competition, with the side competing in UEFA Women's Champions League qualifiers in each of the past three seasons. Off the field, Darbyshire's leadership — alongside his coaching staff, players, and support team — has driven significant progress, aligning with the broader growth of the women's game in Wales. The club transitioned to semi-professional status ahead of the 2023-24 season, while enhanced standards and ambition have fuelled success at youth level, including recent developments such as the launch of an U13s side.

Reflecting on what he described as an unparalleled period of success, Darbyshire told the club’s official website at cardiffcityfc.co.uk: “I’d like to thank the Club, Tan Sri Vincent, Ken Choo, Steve Borley, Lee Southernwood and Michael Thomas for their valued support during the last six seasons in what has been a memorable time for us. It has been a huge personal honour to lead the women’s programme at the Club, and with the hard work of the players and staff we have taken enormous strides forward, not only for the Club, but league-wide in the Adran Premier. Those steps were supported throughout by our incredible fanbase, whose unrivalled backing has played a key part in all our success over the last six years.

“Over the coming months, we will be competing in three domestic competitions and will give our all to have a successful end to the season and provide a platform to grow further in years to come.”

Darbyshire leaves as one of the most successful and longest-serving figures in the Genero Adran Premier since its formation, having steered Cardiff City Women to an era of dominance that has elevated both the club and the domestic women's game in Wales. The Bluebirds will now turn their focus to finishing the season strongly under his remaining leadership, with more silverware still very much within reach.