Soccer

Eileen Gleeson to leave role as Ireland assistant manager

Vera Pauw’s assistant will depart to take over as manager at Glasgow City

Ireland assistant manager Eileen Gleeson (left) and manager Vera Pauw. Photo: Oisin Keniry/Inpho

Fri Oct 15 2021 - 11:00

Eileen Gleeson will leave her role as the Ireland women’s team assistant manager next month to take over at Glasgow City as manager.

Gleeson came into the set up alongside current manager Vera Pauw in October 2019 and she will continue to work for the upcoming 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Finland before leaving next month.

The Uefa Pro Licence holder previously led Peamount United to League glory in 2011 as well as winning two League Cups in 2012 & 2013, while she guided UCD Waves to a League runners-up spot and an FAI Women’s Cup Final.

“This is a bittersweet feeling for me because on one side I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with Glasgow City - one of the most progressive clubs in women’s football - but on the other side I am leaving on the cusp of very exciting times for women’s football in Ireland and the beginning of the World Cup Qualifying campaign with the Irish team,” Gleeson said.

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“But I feel that this opportunity with Glasgow is one that I couldn’t turn down in order to take the next step forward in my career and development as a manager. It is really unfortunate that it comes just when we are starting our World Cup qualifying campaign - something that I was really looking forward to as I genuinely believe that we can qualify for the tournament in 2022.

“The last two years have been unbelievable. I’ve learnt so much by working alongside Vera. The same with the players and the backroom staff, it was a pleasure to work with all and to share so many highlights. I firmly believe that this team is capable of doing something special. I wish everyone involved the very best of luck going forward and will always be the team’s number one supporter.

“I’d like to thank Ruud Dokter for his continued support and also thank the FAI Board, CEO Jonathan Hill and all of the coaches, administrators, players and officials in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League, Dave Connell, James Scott and Tom Elmes with our underage international teams, and especially Vera, Jan Willem van Ede, Andy Holt, the entire backroom staff and, of course, the players.”