The search for the new leader of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is underway. The process, which could take as long as nine months or more, has begun following the exit of Jonathan Hill last Monday. His departure has left a noticeable gap in several departments, as interim CEO David Courell’s move has resulted in an absence in the roles of chief operating officer and head of communications and marketing.
With former Ireland men’s manager John O’Shea considering returning for upcoming friendly games against Hungary and Portugal, the future of the position remains uncertain. This raises the question: does the FAI need a CEO adept in handling a €50.9 million debt or someone with political prowess and a love for football, in the style of Oscar Traynor?
As Sligo Rovers’ chairperson Tommy Higgins puts it, while the league is thriving, the CEO position must be settled soon as the debt “is killing them.” Various discussions surrounding the FAI’s internal affairs have been occurring, such as former Bohemians president John O’Connor’s tweet regarding the challenge of selecting the CEO. His post generated quite a response, marked by dark humour and speculation.
Former contenders such as Lee Carsley, Anthony Barry and Chris Hughton have reportedly been asked to reconsider their decision not to take on the role of Ireland manager. Candidates from the last CEO hunt, like Sarah Keane of Swim Ireland and Basketball Ireland’s John Feehan have also drawn interest. Keane, who succeeded Pat Hickey as the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s president, and Feehan, who has also served as CEO of Six Nations and British Lions, were previously in competition with Hill for the FAI CEO role.
As per Gareth Farrelly, an ex-Ireland international and litigation lawyer, the current debacle can be traced back to the Bank of Ireland governor Patrick Kennedy endorsing Roy Barrett for the FAI chairperson role in 2020. Barrett then supported Hill’s candidature for the CEO position.
“Does the present-day FAI have any hope of recovery?” queries Farrelly. He goes on to answer his own question, stating, “I believe it needs to be broken down and rebuilt from scratch.
“If we fail to confront the past, the future of Irish football will remain stagnant. This returns to the matter of leadership. How did Barrett clinch the FAI chair role post a discussion with the governor of the Bank of Ireland, out of 82 applicants?
“I am being approached to apply for the role of FAI CEO. But to be questioned by the same individuals who backed Barrett and Hill?
“And the decision to nominate Tony Keohane as the new chair – who was behind it?”
The General Assembly, apparently.
“But who made the selection? The same group of people.”
“If they had picked someone who had, originally contested for the role prior to Barrett being cherry-picked, our current conversations could have a different tone. If they had terminated Stephen Kenny when his unsuitability for the job became evident, we might be on our way to Germany this summer.
“A malfunctioning system cannot be remedied until the core reasons for its failure are addressed.”
Farrelly goes on to say, “The press has major accountability in this matter. For instance, if someone claims it is raining yet Jonathan Hill insists the sun is shining, which reality are we to believe? You would verify by stepping outside, not by spreading his emailed claims about his own accomplishments as CEO—especially when you’re aware of the true events.
“The absence of diversified thinking in the FAI is now blatantly obvious.”
Perhaps we can discover a football equivalent of former Leinster Rugby CEO Mick Dawson or ex-GAA Director General Paraic Duffy. Under Duffy’s guidance, the GAA’s turnover had doubled to a whopping €60 million between 2006 and 2016.
Dawson’s directive of “decide, delegate, disappear”, while laying the groundwork for a European dynasty, attracted investors from Davy Stockbrokers to fund Leinster’s elite facility in UCD. This in turn, gave a push to professionalism, sustained by an efficient academy system in private schools.
“Observe the individuals who have been crucial to the immense success of Irish sports organisations,” Farrelly prompts. “Both Jim Gavin and Stuart Lancaster were mere glimpses of a larger picture, identified and singled out by individuals who had a clear understanding of the requirements for achieving greatness in their respective sports.
When questioned about the current appearance of elite sport, Farrelly points towards Leinster and Dublin as prime examples. He expresses assurance in the abilities of certain individuals within the FAI, praising the efforts of the League of Ireland director, Mark Scanlon. Farrelly emphasises that there should be no accolades for average performances or individuals who lack passion for Irish football.
Larry Bass, having served as the former chairperson of Cabinteely FC and previously involved in the board of RTÉ, understands the FAI’s operational approach. He echoes Damien Duff’s opinion on the importance of financing club academies to ensure their survival and growth.
Bass, the creator of production company ShinAwil, recounts his unsettling experience dealing with the FAI under the leadership of John Delaney during his time as Cabinteely chair. He emphasises the significance of a sports administrator maintaining a low-profile and avoiding publicity.
However, Bass affirms the necessity for a leader within the FAI. He states that the board’s lack of daily involvement and the excessive size of the General Assembly means the subsequent CEO must be domestically based.
Bass insists a thriving League of Ireland will eventually lead to a successful international team, citing similar trends in other European nations. He argues that if countries like Iceland can create jobs and maintain full-time employment within their football sector, it’s conceivable for Ireland to duplicate this success within its most popular sport.
Acquiring governmental funding is essential to this strategy, with Bass asserting that the appeal from the FAI for €517 million over a span of 15 years should suffice. He insists that the government must recognise the potential of football as a serious job creator which requires not only governmental and FAI investment but also contributions from both Uefa and private enterprise.
Having witnessed history repeat itself all too frequently, Farrelly is firm in his belief that a fresh start is necessary, advocating for a complete overhaul and restructuring of the sport’s administration.