Colin Healy: FAI lacked 'transparency and compassion' during Ireland WNT exit

Healy - who has indicated he will be making a formal complaint to HR on the matter - has taken umbrage at the dialogue he said he had with FAI director of football Marc Canham and CEO David Courell.

Thu, 16 Jan, 2025 - 12:29

Shane Donovan

The war of words between Colin Healy and Marc Canham over an alleged broken promise is set to escalate after the former Ireland assistant manager lodged a complaint with the FAI’s HR director.

Former Ireland midfielder Colin Healy was released as assistant manager, along with boss Eileen Gleeson, eight days after Ireland’s Euro playoff defeat to Wales on December 3.

Healy issued a statement yesterday claiming he’d received a “verbal assurance” that Canham would be recommending to his FAI board a contract extension for the management team.

It’s understood the only caveat for a U-turn hinged on the risk of a resounding defeat.

Ireland lost 2-0 in the second leg, just four days after playing out a scoreless draw in Cardiff, thereby missing out on a second successive major tournament.

The timing of Healy’s statement left the FAI scrambling, for it was published just two hours before Gleeson’s successor Carla Ward was introduced to the press.

Along with FAI’s chief football officer Canham flanking the new manager, on her other shoulder was the chief executive David Courell.

His text message to Healy added another layer to the controversy. According to Healy’s statement, Courell expressed the erroneous view that it was the coach’s decision to quit, not that he was pushed.

Both Canham and Courell were probed on their involvement, with neither version suggesting this case will close anytime soon.

When Healy sought clarity from Canham on his future, a factor in him mulling over an offer to accept the Cobh Ramblers job, he insisted continuity was promised.

Canham, despite initially refusing to address the claims, dismissed that assertion: "We didn't give Colin any absolute guarantees or assurances that his contract would be renewed.

"We still had two important games to play four weeks after the first conversation we had. It would always be based on the review and the findings and how the games went against Wales."

That review, part of which entailed drawing feedback from players, concluded with Canham proposing a change of guard, a stance backed by his board.

It was in the eight days between the Wales game and board meeting that a second club opportunity, also in the League of Ireland, arose for Healy.

Former Celtic and Sunderland player Healy was stunned by the contents of correspondence from Courell.

“On the morning of December 12, I received a text from David Courell - who I believe to be a very decent man – sincerely thanking me for my time with the association.

“But rather surprisingly, David also expressed genuine sorrow that it had been communicated to him that I had made the decision not to continue, whilst also being very clear that the FAI would have welcomed an opportunity for me to continue my work with them. By reply, I informed David that it was not my decision to leave and that I was, in fact, let go."

This conflict with the truth was attempted to be clarified by Courell in a subsequent message to Healy but yesterday the divergence of interpretation was attributed to confusion.

“That is a misunderstanding by Colin,” said the man upgraded to permanent chief executive in October.

“The belief I had was that he had a separate opportunity elsewhere. He was out of contract, could have sat back and waited to see what head coach was appointed and take his chances of being appointed as No. 2. But I expressed my understanding if he did take another opportunity as there was a risk for him.”

It all amounts to added turmoil for the FAI, the latest day billed as positive overshadowed by claim and counterclaim. Chairman Tony Keohane and President Paul Cooke were interested observers of the top table from the back of the Aviva Stadium auditorium. A scheduled board meeting next week is sure to address the many questions surrounding this debacle.

If Denise O’Sullivan’s continual support, updated yesterday, reflects the view of players, Healy has no credibility concerns.

He thanked his players for helping him cope with the devastating loss of his wife Kelly in April, while accusing the FAI of lacking ‘welfare and dignity’.

“It is my belief that this issue should be investigated as a matter of urgency, and I hope that the lessons learned will ensure that the future conduct of people within leadership roles at the FAI is aligned with the principles of their own welfare and ethics directives, which are designed to protect all affiliates under their care.

“I am not naïve and have been in football a very long time - coaches lose their jobs, which is just the harsh reality of sport. But there is a way to behave and a way to treat people.

“I feel the treatment I received lacked transparency and compassion, and that there was a total disregard shown toward my welfare as an employee - a reality that now sees me out of work and affects my ability to provide for my children.

“It is my belief that this issue should be investigated as a matter of urgency. I hope that the lessons learned will ensure that the future conduct of people within leadership roles at the FAI is aligned with the principles of their own welfare and ethics directives, which are designed to protect all affiliates under their care.”