Jim Crawford signs new deal with 'real belief' Ireland U21s can make history

Crawford will take charge of the Ireland U21s for a third qualifying campaign. 

Ireland U21 manager Jim Crawford after the Euro qualifier against Norway. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Jim Crawford has extended his contract with the FAI which will see him continue as head coach of the men's U21 team for the Euro 2027 qualifying campaign.

Crawford took over as U21 boss in April 2020, succeeding Stephen Kenny who had moved into the senior hotseat. Ireland have narrowly missed out on qualification during Crawford's two campaigns in charge, losing to Israel on penalties in a 2022 playoff, and finishing third in their group late last year. 

“To manage, lead and coach the under-21s team is a huge privilege and a massive honour so I’m over the moon to extend my contract," said Crawford.

“The staff and players who I’ve worked with since my appointment have given me everything and the by-product of this is there’s a real belief in Irish football that one day our under-21s can go on, achieve history and reach a first-ever European Championships.

“Work has already begun to develop the next generation of under-21s, we capped 15 players since our game against Iceland who qualify for the next qualifiers and we had a brilliant week with a group in Marbella in November which saw us beat Sweden.

“It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to a new challenge, with a new group.”

13 December 2024; Republic of Ireland U21 manager Jim Crawford, left, with FAI chief football officer Marc Canham, as he signs a contract renewal, at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Under Crawford's guidance, Ireland have risen from 30th to 16th in the Uefa rankings. 

“We are delighted to secure the services of Jim Crawford for another U-21s campaign," said FAI chief football officer Marc Canham.

"While the main focus of the U-21s is player development, Jim has proven his quality by developing players and remaining a challenger for European Championship qualification over the last few years.

“One of the Jim’s biggest achievements has been his ability to nurture the pathway from the U-21s to the senior team and in the most recent senior squad, more than 50 per cent of the players had played under Jim during his time as Head Coach of the U-21s.

“This has helped establish a strong relationship between our under-age and senior set-up, and has expanded the pool of players experiencing high-level international football for the senior men’s team under Heimir Hallgrímsson.”