Six contenders to be the next Ireland women's team boss

The FAI announced on Wednesday that it would not be renewing Eileen Gleeson's contract as head coach.

Wed, 11 Dec, 2024 - 22:05

John Fallon

Dave Connell

Reclaiming their peak could be a long and arduous task for Ireland, placing someone of Connell’s developmental calibre in the frame. Just because the U19 manager was overlooked previously doesn’t mean this vacancy isn’t opportune. His lack of senior exposure might be as relevant in a negative way as the salary cap is in a favourable one.

Colin Healy

Gleeson’s assistant has frontline managerial experience from Cork City and is an exemplar for the FAI’s Pro License. Still, he may be blighted by association to the last failed era and, conversely, have alternative options on the table for a return to the men’s game.

Eileen Gleeson may no longer be women's boss but clever bargaining means she still has FAI role

Lisa Fallon

Currently as a Fifa technical advisor consultant, Fallon worked in England as London City Lionesses manager up until 2020. She was also on the backroom staff as four-in-row WSL winners Chelsea, complementing her previous stint with Galway United and Northern Ireland.

Colin Bell

Bell is at present China’s U20 manager following a brief spell at Aberdeen. The former Champions League winning boss of Frankfurt was at the last World Cup as South Korea manager, knocking out Germany in the group stages. Although he’s spoken of the Ireland job sequel, the FAI haven’t forgotten his walk out in 2019 for a better-paid job at Huddersfield Town.

Hope Powell

A pioneer of the women’s game across Europe, the FAI interviewed Powell before they chose Vera Pauw in 2019. She’s since managed Brighton and Hove Albion, including Megan Connolly, before being recruited as technical director of Championship outfit Birmingham City, where a colony of Irish play.

Alan Mahon

The former Ireland midfielder earlier this year ended a decade of service to Manchester City, assisting a number of managers. One of those, Nick Cushing, is in the running to take over Katie McCabe’s Arsenal and Mahon could be moving to London.