At a meeting of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Board and following a review, a decision was taken not to offer a new contract to Eileen Gleeson to continue as Head Coach of the Ireland Women’s National Team (WNT).

Initially appointed on an interim basis in August 2023, Eileen led the WNT to promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League before being confirmed as Head Coach on a full-time basis in December last year.

For the 2025 UEFA European Championships qualification campaign, Ireland were paired with three of the top six teams in the world in France, England and Sweden. A famous 3-1 victory over France in Páirc Uí Chaoimh saw the WNT record their best ever result before going on to reach Round 2 of the Qualifying Play-Offs, where despite being in a position where we hoped to qualify the team narrowly lost to Cymru over two legs.

FAI CEO David Courell said: “On behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, we acknowledge the dedication and passion that Eileen has showed in leading the Ireland Women’s National Team over the last 16 months. Eileen has long been a terrific ambassador for women & girls’ football in Ireland and she leaves behind a positive impact on our Women’s National Team that included an excellent UEFA Nations League campaign, a memorable win over France in Cork and a run to the Play-Offs for EURO 2025. We thank Eileen for everything that she has done.”

FAI Chief Football Officer Marc Canham said: “It is important to recognise the leadership that Eileen brought to our Women’s National Team in topping our League B in the UEFA Nations League, guiding them into the Qualifying Play-Offs for EURO 2025 and continuing to build on the legacy that has developed over recent years.” 

FAI President Paul Cooke said: “We thank Eileen for all of her support over the recent period in her position as Head Coach of the Ireland Women’s National Team and we wish her the very best.”

The process to recruit a new Head Coach will begin immediately.