Eileen Gleeson during her time as Ireland boss. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Former Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson set for new FAI role

Dubliner previously worked as WNT head coach and head of women and girls’ football.

EILEEN GLEESON IS set to be appointed to a new role in the Football Association of Ireland [FAI].

The 42 understands an announcement regarding the former Ireland manager is in the process of being finalised.

It is not believed to be her previous post as FAI head of women and girls’ football, which Hannah Dingley departed in May, but is understood to be a new development role with an emphasis on strategy.

Dingley filled the void left by Gleeson after she was appointed permanent head coach of the senior women’s international team in December 2023.

Gleeson had been in interim charge in the wake of Vera Pauw’s exit, and landed the managerial job after a successful Nations League campaign.

The FAI decided not to offer Gleeson a new contract as Ireland head coach following their failure to qualify for Euro 2025 last December, but she is understood to have remained employed by the Association and sources indicate she has been a more visible presence at Abbotstown headquarters in recent days.

The Dubliner is believed to have negotiated a clause in her contract as national team head coach that entitled her to return to a staff position with the FAI when her tenure as head coach came to an end. 

Departing chief football officer Marc Canham and chief executive officer David Courell sidestepped that issue in recent media interviews.

Former Peamount United, UCD Waves and Glasgow City manager Gleeson was originally appointed head of women and girls’ football in January 2023. She previously served as Pauw’s assistant coach. 

Gleeson was part of a FAI delegation attending Athlone Town’s Women’s Champions League qualifier at home to Cardiff City tonight.

Additional reporting by David Sneyd

Close
4 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel