Brian Kerr is to step down as the FAI's technical director after four years in the job. However, his contract as manager of the Republic of Ireland under-17 and under-19 teams has been extended for a further four years, an area in which Kerr (49) is now keen to fully focus.
"I've indicated to the FAI in recent months that I want to concentrate on running the youth teams," said Kerr. "When I took on the role of technical director there were four people in the department - now there are 30 people involved plus a huge number of volunteers around the country.
"I intend to continue in the position until the association identifies somebody to replace me. It's a very challenging role. I've enjoyed it and have been invigorated by the responsibility I've had. I now feel that it has expanded so much that my teams need more time devoted to them.
"We have over 200 players in England that need to be constantly monitored and checked on. There is also a huge body of players here and contacts around the country that need to be investigated and continuously checked.
"I will continue to work on a technical development plan for the next three years which deals specifically with player development, coaching structures, coaching course content and technical issues in particular. A huge amount of work has been done on that and it will be brought to fruition within the next few months."
FAI general secretary Brendan Menton paid tribute to Kerr's running of the technical department within the association.
"There will be no immediate decision on Brian's successor," said Menton. "The fact that Brian is going to stay on for a while yet will give us time to make sure we make the right decision.
"When we went for Brian as technical director four years ago, the original idea was to make the technical director and the managing of the under-age teams two distinct roles.
"Brian has done a tremendous job on both of them, but we are now playing maybe 20 additional matches a year at under-age level. Both roles have expanded tremendously. If there was a need four years ago to have different focuses, that's even more valid now."
Boosted by the return to full fitness of five key players, Kerr has been able to name virtually his strongest possible squad for the UEFA under-19 Championship finals in Norway later this month.
Stephen Brennan of Newcastle United, Keith Gilroy (Middlesbrough), Michael Foley (Liverpool), Daryl McMahon (West Ham United) and Nottingham Forest's Liam Kearney all return to the panel having been injured for the play-off games with Holland earlier this year.
The main absentee is striker Conor Gethins of Ross County who dislocated his shoulder in a freak swimming accident.
Ireland, who won this title in 1998 and finished third the following year, open their challenge against Belgium in Drammen on July 22nd. They then face Germany two days later before finishing their group games with a clash with England on July 26th.
With just two groups of four, the pool winners automatically progress straight to the final with the respective runner-ups playing off for third place. Group B contains hosts Norway, Spain, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
IRELAND UNDER-19 SQUAD (for UEFA finals): Wayne Henderson (Aston Villa), Brian Murphy (Manchester City), Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United), Mark Rossiter (Sunderland), Stephen Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur), Patrick McCarthy (Manchester City), Stephen Paisley (Mancheseter City), Stephen Capper (Sunderland), Ian Simpemba (Wycombe Wanderers), Graham Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Sean Thornton (Sunderland), Keith Gilroy (Middlesbrough), Michael Foley (Liverpool), Liam Kearney (Nottingham Forest), Daryl McMahon (West Ham United), Stephen Elliott (Manchester City), Jonathan Daly (Stockport County), Adrian Deane (Charlton Athletic).
