Jonathan Tuffey will step in to coach Crusaders Strikers for the remainder of the season.
The appointment comes as Spike Hill left his role as manager after two years with the club.
Tuffey joined Crusaders’ men’s side in a playing capacity from Glenavon in January having been goalkeeper coach at the Strikers prior to the transfer.
He has worked closely with Strikers goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford in recent months, with the teenage shot-stopper earning her first call-up to the Northern Ireland senior international squad.
The former Northern Ireland international spent five-and-a-half seasons at Mourneview Park after moving to the Lurgan Blues from Linfield back in 2015.
The 34-year-old has made eleven appearances for Crusaders since his arrival.
Tuffey, who has played eight times for Northern Ireland, began his career at Coventry City and had spells at Partick Thistle and Inverness before joining Linfield in 2013.
The Crues are currently sitting third in the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership and take on Sion Swifts in the semi-finals of the Electric Ireland Challenge Cup
They are also in the quarter-final of the County Antrim Cup.
