Aoife Mannion

Aoife Mannion is a professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United in the Women’s Super League. She also plays for the Republic of Ireland women’s national team and previously played at international level for England at youth level. Known for her impressive defensive skills, Aoife has been recognised twice in the PFA WSL Team of the Year. Having a career on and off the pitch, she is also an established speaker. Aoife has worked with brands such as Visa and appeared on numerous panels for organisations like Ofcom. 

Beginning her football career at a young age, Aoife joined the Birmingham City Centre of Excellence and later the Aston Villa Centre of Excellence. In 2012, she was promoted to Aston Villa’s first team, where she made 21 appearances and won the 2012-2013 FA Women’s Premier League Cup. Aoife then signed with Birmingham City, where she excelled and played every minute of the 2014 and 2015 FA WSL seasons. At this time, she was also shortlisted for the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year. Her incredible performances led her to be selected for the PFA team of the year in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, before she moved to Manchester City in the same year. 

In her later career, Aoife suffered two ACL injuries which massively stunted her progress throughout her career. Since then, she has made a significant comeback and showcased the extent of her resilience and dedication to her career. Prior to her second ACL injury, Aoife signed with Manchester United and quickly became a key player on the team. In 2023, she made her international debut for the Republic of Ireland which finally fulfilled her dreams of representing the country. The same year saw Aoife sign a contract extensive with Manchester United, demonstrating her commitment to the team. 

As a speaker, Aoife is highly sought after because of her footballing talent and story of resilience through her injuries. Offering keynotes as well as Q&A sessions, she is a compelling figure to share her insights and lessons learnt over the course of her career. Aoife has an excellent ability to connect with audiences and her involvement with reputable brands solidifies her reputation as a renowned speaker. If you are looking for an inspiring and talented sports personality, hire Aoife Mannion today!