Eileen Gleeson appointment makes sense despite U-turn
Ireland new permanent Head Coach Eileen Gleeson.
This festive period has seen the FAI subjected to questioning on the trust levels and timing of certain sequences.
Last Wednesday’s visit to the Oireachtas culminated in senior figures being accused of concocting a cock and bull story and lacking credibility when it came to laying out facts.
News of Eileen Gleeson being elevated to the senior women’s job should be a positive news story but is again tainted by chicanery and evasiveness.
During all three international windows the temporary boss took charge of since September, she refused to admit her interest in the vacancy on a permanent basis.
The answers ranged from emphatic denials to obfuscation.
A string of wins – the only boss to rack up six competitive on the spin - didn’t improve the mood when the inevitable promotion to the post on a full-time basis was floated.
By the most recent window, when promotion to the top tier was already guaranteed, Gleeson hardly answered at all.
She was visibly tetchy and fed up with the repetitive queries despite the public interest in what individual would be tasked with filling Vera Pauw’s sizeable shoes. “It’s not saying anything,” came the retort when asked if she was still ruling herself out.
Because that had been her default position since being requested by the FAI to steady the ship after the axing of Pauw in late August.
Here’s a sampling of what was said by Marc Canham, the FAI’s director of football. “There's a possibility, as ever, but that's not our intention for that to happen,” was his take on Gleeson seeing out the Nations League campaign, never mind starting the Euro version next April.
“Eileen is the head of women's and girls’ football; she is very clear, we're very clear on that.
“She was the right person to put in place as an interim for lots of different reasons.”
A few weeks later came confirmation she would indeed be sticking around until the Windsor Park concluding fixture on December 5 – but accompanied by the party line.
“Eileen has confirmed that she does not wish to be considered for the full-time role but is happy to continue in the interim role until a full-time head coach can be announced and she will resume her role as Head of Women and Girls' Football,” said the man responsible for all facets of football, male and female, in the FAI.”
Terminology like longlists and shortlists of candidates were well ventilated by then and it’s known both Canham, as well as chief executive Jonathan Hill and board members Packie Bonner and Niamh O’Mahony, interviewed others. Even a headhunting company was retained and they don’t come cheap.
Only a fleeting reference to the about-turn is referenced in yesterday’s 628-word statement but apparently Gleeson joined the worldwide search in October.
It must have been the tailend as this marked her latest distancing on October 26, the eve of the third game against Albania in Tallaght.
“I’ll still be with the girls and taking care of Irish women's and girls football,” said the Dubliner, reiterating her determination to resume the post she was recruited to in January.
“It’s just that little bit of a step away from that position but still looking after the girls from a different perspective.” Whatever about the curveball soundbites and deflection, Gleeson’s appointment always made sense.
Players have spoken openly about the calmness she was brought to the camp following the fractious end to the Pauw reign.
Ireland’s World Cup campaign in Australia last July was blighted by infighting, influencing the subsequent review which led to a change of guard.
Among the other contenders were Alan Mahon, the former Ireland international and long-time assistant manager of Manchester City’s women’s team, along with Mo Marley, the ex-England international who has served in a number of England roles, including U21, U23 and interim senior coach before retiring from the English FA in 2020.
Jayne Ludlow, the Arsenal legend, who managed her native Wales and most recently operated at Manchester City’s head of youth, was also linked.
Most of Ireland’s players already knew Gleeson from her stints at Peamount United and DLR Waves on the domestic scene before becoming Pauw’s assistant from the time she took over in late 2019 to leaving for the Glasgow City job in November 2021.
One of only two female graduates from the FAI’s UEFA Pro License, she now joins the other, Sue Ronan, as having the top job on her CV.
That bodes well for a current participant on the course, DLR Waves boss Laura Heffernan, but hopefully that prospect transpiring isn’t as unnecessarily cumbersome.
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