Niall Quinn steps away from FAI role

Decision comes in wake of announcement that interim CEO Gary Owens will not be seeking appointment to the permanent CEO role

Niall Quinn: The ex-international is stepping away from the role of Deputy Interim CEO of the FAI. Picture: Tommy Dickson

Niall Quinn has today written to the FAI to inform them that he will be stepping away from the role of Deputy Interim CEO of the Football Association of Ireland.

The decision was taken by the former Ireland international in the wake of last week’s announcement that interim CEO Gary Owens will not be seeking appointment to the permanent CEO role.

Niall told FAI.ie: “I have really enjoyed my time working with the talented and dedicated staff in Abbottstown and I now have a better understanding of just how much great work they do for Irish football, often unheralded and seemingly always amidst a cloud of job uncertainty.

“When I joined the Association with Gary back at the end of January, we wanted to protect jobs and help implement real structural change within the FAI for the betterment of the Irish game. With the successful vote for change at last Monday’s EGM and the completed restructuring of day to day roles in HQ, the game can now look forward to a more productive future.

“Even though these changes were met with resistance by a small minority of constituents, the way is now clear for a new incoming CEO to drive football forward again. I will remain close to Irish football and I wish all of my colleagues the very best of luck in the coming weeks and months as more important changes are implemented to make our game and our association strong again. I will remain available to the FAI, as required, until the new CEO is in situ.”