LAST UPDATE | 11 Dec 2024

The 42

EILEEN GLEESON will not be offered a contract extension as head coach of the women’s national team, the Football Association of Ireland have confirmed.

The news comes following Ireland’s failure to qualify for the Euros amid a playoff defeat to Wales earlier this month.

The FAI decided not to offer Gleeson a contract extension following a review of her tenure.

But while Gleeson is leaving her role with the women’s national team, she is not necessarily leaving the FAI. The 42 understands that Gleeson can remain at the FAI as an employee if she wishes, as she 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.

The precise nature of that role, and whether Gleeson even has the appetite to remain at the FAI, has yet to be finalised. She will be unable to return to her previous role as head of women and girl’s football, however, as that role has been filled on a permanent basis by Hannah Dingley, appointed in April of this year.

The Dubliner initially succeeded previous boss Vera Pauw in August 2023 on an interim basis after Ireland’s historic first-ever appearance at the Women’s World Cup.

Gleeson initially played down her interest in the permanent job but was appointed to the role full-time in December 2023 following a successful Nations League campaign as Ireland were promoted to League A.

However, a difficult 2024 ensued.

Defeating France 3-1 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh was a rare highlight, but Ireland largely struggled in their Euros qualification group that saw them paired with three top-10 ranked nations (England and Sweden as well as the French) as they suffered five defeats from six qualifiers.

After a 9-0 aggregate win saw them easily beat Georgia in the first round of the Euros playoffs, the 3-2 aggregate loss to the Welsh appears to have sealed Gleeson’s fate as the wait for Ireland’s first-ever appearance at the European Championships continues.

The FAI thanked Gleeson in a statement this evening and confirmed that the process to appoint her replacement would begin immediately.

Written by The 42 and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.