Eileen Gleeson stays coy as FAI look to fill key role

Having spent a good chunk of the autumn stonewalling questions around her potential candidacy for the Republic of Ireland job, Eileen Gleeson finds herself in the middle of another awkward purgatory.

Previously, Gleeson refused to definitively rule herself in or out of the running for the head coach role as she led the team on an interim basis throughout the successful UEFA Nations League campaign.

It later transpired that she was very much in, ultimately getting the gig off the back of six wins out of six.

The Dubliner was in a difficult situation then, and has since clarified that she didn't want to compromise the FAI's recruitment process by publicly declaring her interest.

Before taking the reins in September, Gleeson had served as the head of women's and girls' football.

The FAI have yet to find a replacement for that position. Last week there were reports that the association had changed it from being a permanent role to one with a fixed term. That inevitably led to speculation Gleeson might return to her old job once her managerial contract expires after the 2025 Euros.

When asked if there is anyone performing the head of women's and girls' football duty on an interim basis as the FAI continue their search, Gleeson said: "If you want to ask about that, ask Marc [Canham, the FAI's director of football]. I am fully focused here now and not focused on the head of women's and girls football.

"I am here, I am busy enough trying to take care of this stuff. I am not going to discuss any other roles."

After it was put directly to Gleeson if she would be going back to the position in a couple of years' time, she replied: "I am here to talk about this camp and preparation for the qualifiers. That’s as far as I am going with this