Canham confirmed as new FAI director of football

The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed the appointment of Marc Canham as its director of football, essentially succeeding Ruud Dokter who left his position at the end of 2021 after eight years in the role.

Dokter's title had been high performance director and while Canham’s role is a new one, it is expected that he will cover a lot of the same ground as Dokter.

Canham will work with FAI staff and all stakeholders in setting, driving and delivering the association’s overall football, technical and development strategies in support of transformational change in Irish football.

Canham will join the association from 1 August from his current role as director of coaching with the Premier League in his native England.

A UEFA Pro Licence coach and qualified technical director, he was instrumental in the implementation of the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan which has led to an increase in the number and quality of home-grown players playing in the Premier League and seen the progression of young home-grown coaches at academy and first team level.

"I am really excited to take up this opportunity to work in partnership with everyone in Irish football to build on the excellent work by so many to date and to realise the FAI’s onward vision for the future of the game," said Canham.

"Collaboration and teamwork are the key values of how I work and operate. I look forward to working closely with everyone within the Irish game, from grassroots to collaborating with our international managers as we bring the FAI’s Strategy 2022-2025 to life and change football for the better for every man, woman, boy and girl who plays our game.

"With the right commitment to an open and consultative approach, together we can deliver on