David Courell at the FAI’s recent AGM. Photo: Sportsfile
The FAI are set to appoint David Courell as its new permanent Chief Executive, almost six months after Jonathan Hill left the association amid controversy about his remuneration.
The board of the FAI voted earlier Thursday to approve the recommendation of its appointments committee to make Courell the FAI’s permanent CEO.
He will be the second person to take the permanent position since John Delaney left the role after more than 14 years in charge amid a financial scandal in 2019.
Courell has been filling in as FAI interim-CEO since April 15 when Hill’s departure was announced. The FAI recently said at its AGM that it had agreed on a confidential settlement with Hill in April that was brokered by FAI chairman Tony Keohane.
Courell, who is originally from Castlebar in Mayo, joined the FAI in February 2022 as its Chief Operating Officer.
Courell is understood to have faced competition from Sarah Keane, the CEO of Swim Ireland, and Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan, who formerly worked with Leicester City.