DAVID COURELL has been appointed the FAI’s interim CEO with immediate effect.
And one of his first acts will be to unveil a new men’s head coach, with some association insiders tipping Chris Hughton for the role.
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Courell’s appointment follows the announcement of the departure of Jonathan Hill, who will formally leave the association on April 30.
It is understood he is on holidays for the remainder of the month.
Like Hill, Courell is an ex-English FA employee, who joined the FAI as Chief Operating Officer in December 2021.
Hill, who took on the role in November 2020, had effectively been a lame duck following a damaging appearance before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee in February.
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During that hearing, FAI President Paul Cooke said his confidence in Hill had been challenged by the events surrounding the Englishman’s receipt of €11,500 in lieu of holidays not taken and his explanation of how it came about.
Hill was marked by his absence for the announcement Sky Ireland would sponsor the men’s team in addition to their female counterparts last month, ending a 3½-year wait for a primary backer.
And he will now not be present when Stephen Kenny’s successor is unveiled, although he, Director of Football Marc Canham and board member Packie Bonner were the three in charge of recruitment.
The new head coach’s identity has been a closely guarded secret.
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But some in Abbotstown believe ex-Newcastle United and Brighton boss Hughton will land the post.
The former Ireland international parted company with Ghana after a disappointing African Cup of Nations earlier this year and had been ruled out by Brian Kerr.
Hughton was Kerr’s assistant during his spell in charge.
But, after being rebuffed by first choice Lee Carsley, Hughton is viewed by those working at the coalface as one of the more realistic options.
John O’Shea was in interim charge for the friendlies last month.
But SunSport reported on Friday that he had been ruled out as an option and it is understood the FAI has told him as much.
There could, however, be a role for him on the backroom staff. He was appointed to Kenny’s coaching team last year.
The Waterford man has also worked for Reading, Stoke City and Birmingham City.
