FAI boss not worried about missing out on Ireland candidate

Jonathan Hill also said he hasn’t been approached by Uefa to take over the running of Euro 2028

FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill, right, and FAI director of football Marc Canham during an FAI media briefing at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

FOOTBALL Association of Ireland chief executive Jonathan Hill has said he isn’t worried about missing out on Ireland’s next men’s team manager by allowing Stephen Kenny continue in his role until November.

The FAI CEO also said he did not know Lee Carsley personally, but would not be drawn on the former England U21 coach or any other potential candidates until after the Board meets in November, in what now clearly will be a meeting to end Kenny’s reign as manager.

Hill also said he hasn’t been approached by Uefa to take over the running of Euro 2028, amid speculation that he will be awarded the role as Tournament Director after the position is created, following Ireland’s successful co-bid with England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, being ratified in October.

On the next Ireland manager, Hill said that just because someone might be available now for the job, doesn’t mean that another strong candidate won’t be free when the time comes to appoint Kenny’s successor.

Responding to a question from the media at Abbotstown on Thursday, Hill said: “Your point: ‘Does that mean you’re going to miss someone who is available today?’ well tomorrow they may not be available.

“But then someone else may be available when we come to the point in November – it’s a point in time.

“And that’s the point in time in which we decided to sit down as a board and to review the situation in November.” 

When asked if Hill knew Lee Carsley, he responded: “I don’t know Lee.” 

Mark Canham – the FAI’s director of football - when asked the same question said: “I know lots of people in football, which I’d hope you would expect me to, in my role.” 

Hill said he didn’t “think it was appropriate to talk about individuals” until after the November review.

On mounting speculation that Hill’s time at the FAI may be drawing to a close, the lead executive said he was not aware that he was linked to a role with UEFA for the job of running Euro 2028.

“Within the central bid team there’s a very capable team which is being led by Mark Burrows (Deputy CEO at the FA) at the moment, which is doing a great job,” explained Hill.

“In terms of the bid we can’t get ahead of ourselves here at all because we haven’t won anything yet and I’m sure that central bid team would look really closely at a Tournament Director moving forward.

“I’ve not been approached by UEFA or by Euro 2028.”