Eileen Gleeson leaves Ireland head coach role after Euros failure

Damian Spellman, PA

Eileen Gleeson’s reign as head coach of the Ireland women’s soccer team has ended after her team failed to qualify for Euro 2025.

Gleeson, who was appointed on an interim basis in August 2023 and handed the role permanently last December, will not be offered a new deal after a Football Association of Ireland review.

Under Gleeson, who replaced Vera Pauw at the helm, Ireland, who were drawn in a group along with European champions England, France and Sweden, were promoted to Nations League A and reached the second round of the play-offs for next summer’s tournament, where they went out to Wales over two legs.

FAI chief executive 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 and 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.”

An FAI statement confirmed that the process to recruit a new head coach would begin “immediately”.