Nov 22,2024
Eileen Gleeson has aired her desire to stay on as Republic of Ireland head coach no matter what happens in the upcoming Euro 2025 play-off against Wales, but admitted there's been no talks with the FAI on a potential contract extension.
Gleeson was appointed to the role permanently in December 2023 having led the side through the Nations League campaign on an interim basis. Her current deal runs until the end of the Girls in Green's involvement in the Euros campaign.
That makes the two-legged tie against the Welsh hugely significant for Gleeson on a couple of levels: she's aiming to lead her country to a first ever Women's Euros, and quite possibly fighting for a longer stay in the hot seat. Lose against Wales, and her time at the helm might be over.
"I want to continue," Gleeson said after announcing her squad on Thursday. "I love being in the job, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and that’s the way I want it to continue.
"But right now the focus is on getting these two games done.
"(FAI chief football officer) Marc Canham and I speak all the time, we have a really positive relationship. There's been no discussions around a contract, I want to keep all focus… I don’t have the capacity to focus on anything else, only Wales. That’s all I think about. No formal discussions, no.
"Post the games, then we’ll be able to talk about conversations around that. But I’m trying to keep all my brain power for these games."
The FAI will surely want to avoid a repeat of the situation they found themselves in with Vera Pauw, whose contract ran up until after the 2023 World Cup. They stalled on offering the Dutchwoman a new deal and Pauw was subsequently peppered with questions about her future up to and throughout the tournament in Australia. Ultimately, she parted company with the association.
Gleeson has previously served as the head of women's and girls' football. She was replaced by Hannah Dingley after stepping up to the senior head coach position, though there is no guarantee Gleeson will return to her old job if she is not kept on as boss.
For now her focus is on trying to get through a tricky play-off.
Georgia were swatted aside 9-0 on aggregate in the semi-final, but Wales will be a completely different proposition. The world 29-ranked side are hungry as hell to make a first major tournament, led by their 37-year-old maverick Jess Fishlock.
"It's a very evenly-matched tie," Gleeson said. "In terms of squad profile and the level that girls play at, it’s nearly identical. They’re a strong team. We played them in February (in a friendly), they beat us well, so we know they’ve got strength in depth, some really strong key players like ourselves.
"It’s huge, it’s a play-off, first time ever for Euro qualification, so everybody is excited, everybody is being super respectful of Wales and the quality they have as well. We’re looking forward to it."
Gleeson also touched on the prospect of playing at the Aviva Stadium again. Ireland will welcome Wales to Lansdowne Road for the second leg on Tuesday 3 December for what will effectively be a cup final. The FAI said on Thursday over 15,000 tickets have already been sold.
"Huge, it’s huge," added the Dubliner. "We kept talking about the seeded places for the draw and where we’d end up, but one of the rewards of that was that you would be in your home stadium for the second leg.
"To come home here to the Aviva, I think there’s already over 15,000 tickets sold, we’re hoping everybody comes out because it can be a historic night. That’s what we’re aiming to make it for everybody, but to have the fans with us, to have that atmosphere, it will be magical. It’s a big thing."
