Two LOI men who fit the bill for FAI chief executive

The departure of Jonathan Hill as CEO of the Football Association of Ireland marks the end of an era filled with many challenges.

Through my personal interactions, I found him to be an approachable man with a sincere desire to improve Irish football.

Yet Hill's tenure was a tumultuous period, shadowed by negative press.

Hill took the helm during one of the most trying times in Irish football history. The association under John Delaney had run up debts of up to €70m, and the FAI was in the middle of operational turmoil.

Despite his efforts, and while he has done a good job at lowering that debt, some of the fundamental issues within the FAI were not adequately addressed under his leadership.

His approach to leading the association while still living in London, the controversial Oireachtas display, where the cover-up of his holiday pay misstep appeared worse than the misstep itself, and the notable absence of a main sponsor for the men's team for four years, are points of contention that have left lasting impressions.

While the FAI's strategy to hold out for a high-value main sponsor is understandable, alternative options could have been explored. For instance, affiliating with leading charities such as Pieta House, As I Am or any of our worthy charities for that matter on a temporary basis could have enhanced public goodwill and kept media criticism at bay.

Enjoy the plaudits that come with providing this temporary good deed, while continuing the search for a suitable main sponsor. These are tactics used the world over.

Looking forward, the quest for a new CEO provides an opportunity for a significant strategic pivot. It is crucial that the FAI avoids replicating past mistakes, particularly the practice of hiring executives