The FAI have confirmed the exit of Eileen Gleeson as head coach of the Ireland women’s team. Gleeson departs after the team’s failure to qualify for next summer’s Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the FAI said:
At a meeting of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Board and following a review, a decision was taken not to offer a new contract to Eileen Gleeson to continue as Head Coach of the Ireland Women’s National Team (WNT).
Initially appointed on an interim basis in August 2023, Eileen led the WNT to promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League before being confirmed as Head Coach on a full-time basis in December last year.
FAI CEO David Courrell, Director of Football Marc Canham and President Paul Cooke individually thanked Gleeson for her efforts during her tenure.
Courrell said,
On behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, we acknowledge the dedication and passion that Eileen has showed in leading the Ireland Women’s National Team over the last 16 months. Eileen has long been a terrific ambassador for women & girls’ football in Ireland and she leaves behind a positive impact on our Women’s National Team that included an excellent UEFA Nations League campaign, a memorable win over France in Cork and a run to the Play-Offs for EURO 2025. We thank Eileen for everything that she has done
Gleeson departs after 18 games in charge of the Ireland team over a 15-month spell.
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Eileen Gleeson exits as Ireland head coach
Vera Pauw departed as Ireland manager after last year’s World Cup appearance, with Eileen Gleeson stepping in on an interim basis for the winter Nations League B campaign.
Gleeson was adamant throughout that campaign that she was not interested in the job on a permanent basis, as the FAI went on what they described as a global search for Pauw’s long-term replacement.
However, a flawless Nations League campaign saw Ireland promoted after six wins from six and, ultimately, Gleeson was convinced by the FAI to step aside from her role as Head of Women and Girls’ Football to become the permanent Ireland head coach.
From the outset, Gleeson’s goals were clear. She was expected to lead Ireland to consistent tournament qualifications, capitalising on the momentum of the maiden World Cup experience.
Things became more complicated for the former Peamount United coach when Ireland were awarded a ludicrously difficult Euro 2025 qualifying draw. Defeats in Metz, Stockholm, and Norwich came during a campaign which also saw big crowds take in home losses to England and Sweden in the Aviva Stadium.
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The unquestioned highlight of Gleeson’s tenure came in the final game of that group when Ireland finally got their first points on the board with a riveting 3-1 win over the might of France.
Despite finishing bottom of their qualifying group, Ireland were guaranteed a playoff due to last year’s Nations League performance and went past Georgia with relative ease in the semi-finals.
3 December 2024; Republic of Ireland head coach Eileen Gleeson during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Play-off Round Two second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
The heartbreak of this month’s playoff final second leg against Wales was to be the decisive moment for Eileen Gleeson. A solid if unspectacular draw in Cardiff left Ireland with just one home game standing between them and the Euros. A disappointing 2-1 defeat means the wait for a European Championship appearance will go on until 2029 at least.
Gleeson’s contract was to run until the end of Ireland’s involvement in Euro 2025. With that period now concluded a review was to be expected and the FAI have decided not to renew her in the role, after failure to deliver on the key criteria laid out at the outset of her reign.
Eileen Gleeson departs as Ireland manager with a record of nine wins, one draw, and six losses from 16 competitive games in charge. The search for her replacement will begin immediately.
There was no indication on where Gleeson’s future lies within the FAI. Hannah Dingley has replaced her in the role of Head of Women and Girl’s football. After the defeat to Wales, Gleeson was tense when asked about the prospect of returning to a similar role.
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