Latest news with #MarcCanham
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘They wouldn't leave Jose Mourinho waiting' – Stephen Bradley bitter about FAI disrespect during Ireland job meeting
STEPHEN Bradley felt 'disrespected' by the FAI's attempt at interviewing him to become Ireland head coach. Bradley spoke to Advertisement 2 Shamrock Rovers are perched at the top of the LOI table and not for the first time in his tenure 2 Marc Canham and Jonathan Hill were the FAI Chief Football Officer and Chief Executive He recalled: "Would I like to manage the senior national team of this country? Of course I would. "I was approached through back channels at the start asking is it something that i'd be interested in and having that conversation. "Obviously the answer was yes. So a meeting was set up between myself, Marc Canham and Jonathan Hill. "Unfortunately both Marc and Jonathan were 15 minutes late for the meeting, so I left. Advertisement Read more on Irish football "That probably summed up how serious the interest was, for me to have the job. I found it disrespectful and not good enough to be honest with you. "If I was someone that they were really serious about having that job they wouldn't have been late for that meeting." Canham and Hill Canham has since Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Bradley's assistant manager Glenn Cronin added: "When he spoke to me about it, he initially said to me 'You're going to kill me. I came off the call' and I said right, why? "He said 'they left me waiting' whatever amount of time it was and I thought good. That's how I felt really and it's not an arrogance, it's respect. Fans shocked as Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks fluent Spanish at Real Madrid unveiling after quitting Liverpool "They wouldn't leave Jose Mourinho waiting 10 minutes. Either you are there on merit and they respect you like everyone else or they don't. "He's no less valued than anyone else so I think it was the right thing to do. Advertisement He said: "I've made no secret of the fact that I want to manage at the highest level. I want to manage at the highest level possible and that's my ambition, that's my hunger, that's my desire. "Has there been opportunities in the last few years? Yeah there's been opportunities but the personal circumstances don't allow for that. "Please God in the future we get good news and the whole picture becomes clearer. Advertisement "In the last two and a half years there's no job in the world that would have taken me away from my family situation, so it's irrelevant. Bradley's son Josh was For Stephen it hurt even more as his mother had died from colon cancer in 2016. The former Ireland underage international's managerial opportunities were limited due to the diagnosis as appropriate medical attention must be readily available. Advertisement
Irish Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Colin Healy doubles down on claims he was told he would be kept on as assistant coach to national women's team
Colin Healy has accused the FAI's outgoing chief football officer Marc Canham and its chief executive David Courell of lying about his departure as assistant coach to the Republic of Ireland women's team . Healy was assistant coach from September 2023 to last December, when his contract was not renewed following the defeat to Wales in the Euro 2025 play-offs. Healy and his agent Graham Barrett claim that Canham had 'verbally assured' them before the play-off that Healy would continue in his job unless Ireland were 'hammered' by Wales. This assurance had prompted the 45-year-old to turn down an offer to manage the Cobh Ramblers men's team. READ MORE Canham has repeatedly stated that no assurances were given to Healy or Barrett. Courell claims that Healy 'misinterpreted' a text message that the CEO sent on December 12th, the day after his contract ended, that suggested the FAI would have been open to retaining the coach if not for a job offer from Kerry FC. 'That's not true,' Healy said this week. [ FAI continues to deny Colin Healy claims over contract renewal ] Healy also said that no bereavement support was offered by the FAI board or leadership following the death of his wife Kelly in April last year. 'When Kelly passed I had text messages here and there, but other than that, [nothing]. We [subsequently] got an apology for that,' Healy said. 'The only [FAI] support I had was from Eileen Gleeson and the [coaching] staff and the players.' On December 11th last year Canham told Healy, during a four-minute phone conversation, that his contract was not being renewed. Healy said that Courell texted him the following day to indicate that he would have been welcomed back to the FAI if he did not have a job offer from Kerry FC. 'I got a text from David that they were hoping I would continue. After the year that I had, the [Ireland] job suited my family [Healy has two children, Arran (20) and Holly (13)]. I could do a lot of work from home [when not in camp for internationals].' The FAI CEO has repeatedly claimed that you 'misinterpreted' his text, what's your response to that? 'That's not true.' When the Kerry job first came up, late last year, is it credible to suggest Courell believed you were leaving the FAI to manage the first-division club? 'We'd spoken to them, but I wasn't leaving the FAI to go to the Kerry job. That was never the case.' What did Canham say to you initially about keeping your job? 'Cobh Ramblers were interested and they had offered me a contract. When I spoke to Cobh – I got permission from the FAI – they knew my contract was up after the Wales game. It was close to home so it made sense, but I was given assurances that we would be staying on. I was talked out of going to Cobh.' By Canham? 'Yes, and by Eileen Gleeson , who was fully sure we were going to be staying on. I enjoyed my time working with the team at the FAI, so I turned down the [Cobh] job. It was a two-year contract around the corner from my house. I was led to believe I was going to be staying on.' Eileen Gleeson and Colin Healy before the UEFA European women's qualifier play-off final second leg game against Wales last December. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/INPHO How did Canham convey those assurances? 'Bar a hammering against Wales [in Euro 2025 play-off], when [the board] might have to make a decision, they were happy with what we were doing.' Did he use the phrase 'bar a hammering'? 'Yeah, 'bar a hammering'.' [Canham denies this exchange happened.] Do you think Canham always planned to replace you and Gleeson with Carla Ward and Alan Mahon? 'I don't know. I had work elsewhere, and I was [dissuaded] from doing it. That's wrong in any line of work. We had a difficult year. I have to look after two kids and I'm out of work. I think it's wrong.' When and how did Canham relay the news? 'December 11th. A four-minute phone call. I was the assistant coach of the national team. Would you not bring me up to Dublin and sit down, have a conversation? I didn't have to go back [after Kelly died in April]. I could have stayed off the whole year and said I'm not ready. But I went back for the players, for the staff, and I went back for myself. I don't think they showed too much respect for that.' Was there any reason from Canham as to why they let you go? 'He told me it was the board's decision.' Courell's text referred to an offer from Kerry? 'We were speaking to one or two clubs, but at the time the kids were the most important thing and I wasn't in any shape to take a [new] role at that time. Holly is still in school and I wanted to stay with the FAI. I wanted to stay with the team.' What was your reaction to Canham saying no 'verbal assurances' were made and Courell saying you 'misinterpreted' his text at the Carla Ward unveiling on January 16th? 'I was a bit upset by it. Not surprised.' They were not telling the truth? 'No.' What specifically? 'They said I 'misinterpreted' what they said. It was on television, so everybody sees it. They said it was a football decision that I wasn't [offered a contract renewal], but why did the CEO, in his text, say that he was hoping for me to continue? I found that very strange.' Do you feel let down by the FAI? 'I travelled the world with Ireland. I captained the under-21s. Played senior. Did all my coaching badges with [Ireland under-19s coach] Tom Mohan. The FAI have done so much for me, and I had some great years, but to leave the way it happened hurt.' Would you have confidence in Courell's ability to lead the FAI? 'That is a hard question. I probably won't answer that one.' Considering the past year, did the FAI's handling of your situation surprise you? 'It did surprise me, it really did, because it is the highest level. I think they have to change. Whenever I was releasing players at Cork City or when I was released as a player, you are sat down and given the reason why you are released. It is not text messages or calls. It is face-to-face conversations. Mistakes were made. The way I have been treated is a lack of respect.' How difficult was it to go public? 'It was very difficult for my kids. They were upset as well, from what happened. Holly used to go to the matches and she loved it. That was all taken away from her.' How are the kids doing? 'Good days and bad days, isn't there. I am up [in Dublin] doing this and Arran is at home minding Holly. We made that decision together that I would go back to work. I used to go away with the Irish team for 12 days and the two kids were at home by themselves. The house is quiet.'
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Shane Robinson appointed Interim Technical Director as FAI begin hunt for new Chief Football Officer
SHANE ROBINSON has been informed as Interim Technical Director of the FAI as the search for a new Chief Football Officer gets underway. Marc Canham announced last month that he is to leave the 2 Shane Robinson has been appointed Interim Technical Director as FAI begin hunt for new CFO 2 Marc Canham left the role last month after three years with the FAI He will remain in Abbotstown until August to ensure a smooth handover with Assistant Director of Football now taking on an elevated role. Robinson joined the FAI in 2023 as A former League of Ireland star with Robinson said: 'I'm happy to take over as Interim Technical Director to continue the good work that Marc has been doing and ensure that we maintain momentum in the implementation of the Football Pathways Plan. read more on football 'This is an important period in Irish football, across all levels of the game, and we are working hard across the Association with all stakeholders to ensure that we provide the best possible experience for everyone involved.' FAI CEO David Courell said: "We're pleased to have Shane step up as Interim Technical Director as we begin the process to recruit a new Chief Football Officer. 'Shane is a valuable member of our Football Leadership Team and will help us to continue our vital work in continuing to develop Irish football.' The FAI will begin the search for Canham's permanent replacement this week with the post set to be advertised. Most read in Football How Crystal Palace outsmarted Man City in FA Cup final
Irish Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Shane Robinson to replace Marc Canham as FAI's chief football officer on interim basis
The FAI has announced that Shane Robinson will replace the outgoing chief football officer Marc Canham on an interim basis 'until a permanent appointment is made.' Robinson was the Shamrock Rovers academy lead until he joined the association in 2023 to work under Canham as the assistant director of football. Robinson's new title is 'interim technical director.' Canham was promoted internally last year to chief football officer but following issues surrounding the recruitment of international management and resistance to the football pathways plan, he will return home to England after just three years in Dubin. READ MORE 'I'm happy to take over as interim technical director to continue the good work that Marc has been doing and ensure that we maintain momentum in the implementation of the football pathways plan,' said Robinson. 'This is an important period in Irish football, across all levels of the game, and we are working hard across the association with all stakeholders to ensure that we provide the best possible experience for everyone involved.' The FAI have also parted company with Hannah Dingley, the head of women and girls' football after just 12 months in the role. Manchester City confirmed her appointment as their girls' head of academy. This provides the FAI with an opportunity to reappoint Eileen Gleeson to the role she previously held, before becoming the Ireland head coach in September 2023. Gleeson remains a member of the FAI staff, in an unclear position since December 2024 when her contract as head coach was not renewed following failure to qualify for Euro 2025.
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Stephen Kenny quoting WB Yeats summed up unique aspect of Irish football as FAI searches for Marc Canham replacement
THE common theme in all the talk about who should replace Marc Canham as the FAI's chief football officer — still a stupid corporate job title — is that he or she knows Irish football. Everyone points out that Irish football is unique — as if getting a grip on the English, Welsh, Icelandic or whatever culture would be easier for anyone. 3 WB Yeats made a surprise cameo in LOI circles this week Credit: RTE 3 Stephen Kenny has a habit of being quite poetic with his own language 3 An exact exit date for Canham has yet to emerge But then you're reminded just how unique Irish football is The St Pat's boss paraphrased 'September 1913' when he said: 'Sportsmanship is dead and gone, it's with O'Leary in the grave.' I'm sure I'm not the only person who immediately had memories of the Leaving Cert 'Soundings' poetry book, of scribbled notes in the margins and 'Paradise Lost'. Getting all the various Irish football factions together is akin to following Kavanagh's 'Thick-tongued mumble' and sowing in the 'Stony Grey Soil'. Read More On Irish Football It is about breaking through the 'Monuments of its magnificence', which Yeats was likely not writing about in 'Sailing to Byzantium'. The next chief football officer of the FAI does not just need a good grounding in Irish football, but also a good Soundings. 'Knew the camera was on him' - Fans divided by Nathan Jones' antics as he kneels down and PRAYS before final whistle
