The Football Association of Ireland confirmed that Heimir Hallgrímsson’s entire coaching staff, including John O’Shea and Paddy McCarthy, have signed contract extensions to remain with the Republic of Ireland national team through the conclusion of UEFA Euro 2028.
The Football Association of Ireland secured the long-term future of the men’s national team backroom setup. Following the managerial appointment, the FAI confirmed fresh deals for assistant head coach John O’Shea, assistant coach Paddy McCarthy, and assistant coach Gudmundur Hreidarsson.
The newly extended agreements run through to the 2028 UEFA European Championships, which are scheduled to be hosted across Ireland and the United Kingdom. FAI Director of Football John Martin emphasized the necessity of continuity for the squad’s progression leading into upcoming competitive fixtures.
“We are pleased to have our full coaching staff committed until the end of the UEFA EURO 2028 cycle. Stability is vital for the development of the squad, and we have been impressed by the working dynamic between Heimir, John, Paddy and Gudmundur.”
John Martin, FAI Director of Football, via RTE
O’Shea stepped into the setup initially as interim manager following the departure of Stephen Kenny, overseeing friendlies against Switzerland, Portugal, Belgium, and Hungary before joining Hallgrímsson’s permanent staff. Following on from Hallgrímsson’s contract extension earlier this year, assistants O’Shea, McCarthy and Hreidarsson have all signed up to remain with the squad through to the 2028 UEFA European Championships. I am honoured to extend my time with the national team, said O’Shea. Having been involved with this group for several years, I have seen the immense progression and potential within the squad firsthand. It is an incredibly exciting time for Irish football.
When Hallgrímsson took charge of the Republic of Ireland following a protracted search by the association, bringing in O’Shea was an immediate priority. The manager traveled to Waterford at the first opportunity to discuss the vision for the squad.
“It was an absolute priority for me to bring John into the staff when I joined the association. I travelled down to Waterford at the first opportunity to sit down with him and discuss the role. It became clear we’re very much aligned in our ideas and what the future should look like, and it’s fantastic he has agreed to be the assistant head coach.”
Photo: irishtimes.com
Heimir Hallgrímsson, Republic of Ireland manager, via Irish Times
Since I arrived, John, Paddy, and Gummi have been an incredible support to me and integral to everything we are building here. Their knowledge of the players and the Irish game is invaluable. I am delighted that we will continue to work together to drive this team forward and achieve the results our fans deserve.
The coaching ticket also incorporates personnel from Hallgrímsson’s previous coaching staff. Gudmundur Hreidarsson joined as assistant coach responsible for goalkeeping, while Damien Doyle stayed on as head of athletic performance. A new performance analyst is due to be recruited in the coming months, the FAI added.
Immediate Competitive Horizons
With the coaching structure settled for the long haul, attention turns immediately to competitive action. The immediate priority centers on a vital UEFA Nations League campaign. Group B matches pit the squad against England in Dublin, followed by fixtures against Greece and Finland as the autumn international calendar unfolds. Work has already begun with our focus fully on the matches against England and Greece in September, with Ireland first facing England in Dublin on September 7th. Group B will also see the squad welcome Greece on September 10th before travelling to Helsinki to meet Finland a month later. Ireland will then make the return trip to Greece on October 13th, before hosting Finland at the Aviva on November 14th and wrapping up the group stage with a visit to Wembley on November 17th.
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