Eileen Gleeson took Ireland Women’s Team to another level as its head coach. Moreover, she is a highly decorated Irish association football coach. Her LinkedIn profile suggests she possesses top skills such as team leadership, performance improvement, sports development, people management, and strategic partnerships.
Turning from the FAI head coach to the manager was a transition period for Gleeson. However, she was confident in her prior knowledge regarding the players and her approach. According to her, every manager has a different approach, and so does she.
In that case, her approach is necessary because her team will compete with the other top teams in the following year, and the bar has been set high. She handles the high-profile role and thinks she will adapt to the changes soon.
People reportedly wave at Gleeson and ask her for a photograph, which is a part of her role. Thus, she is glad that the Republic of Ireland managers are recognized internationally.
Is Eileen Gleeson Married?
Gleeson revealed neither her marriage status nor previous relationships. People question her sexuality, making assumptions about her looks and career. However, even this stuff is not disclosed, and the media does not know her sexuality.
Gleeson has a Twitter and LinkedIn account where she posts career-oriented stuff, which explains how much she prioritizes her privacy. People look for Instagram profiles to dig into someone’s personal life, but Gleeson does not have one.
Eileen Gleeson’s Career
Gleeson worked as a sports officer at Dublin City Council for eighteen years and eleven months starting in March 2003. In November 2021, she joined Glasgow City Football Club as a full-time Manager and handled the post till January 2023. Meanwhile, she joined the University College Dublin in 2017 to get a PhD.
She reportedly struggled to juggle between her master’s, Ph.D., and her job, but she stood on her decision. Moreover, her family, friends, and the education system stood by her. Surprisingly, she enjoyed that phase of life.
In 2019, Gleeson became an Assistant Manager of the Irish women’s senior international team. She climbed up the ladder in Women’s and Girls’ Football Ireland by becoming its Head and FAI Head. Finally, in December, she became the head coach.
Gleeson played in the Dublin Women’s Soccer League and the Civil Service League and began her coaching career there. However, she reportedly did not want to remember her playing days.
Gleeson has a golden touch because Peamount United became a successful women’s football team in Ireland when she became its manager in 2006. In 2014, she uploaded a video on YouTube of one of her team players who scored an epic goal.
Gleeson As Republic of Ireland Manager
According to Gleeson’s statement in an interview with RTÉ Sport, she plans to build an environment for the football players to increase their potential after becoming the Republic of Ireland Manager at the third attempt.
Gleeson wants to create an environment full of connectivity and togetherness because her team is heading to the 2024 games with an increased difficulty level, and it would be difficult for them to go ahead without these facilities.
Instead of directly promising a victory for her team, Gleeson promises to increase their potential to win the upcoming football matches, and she would not take all credit only by putting her name. She thinks that the team’s victory is a joint effort.
Gleeson’s team consists of players from various countries and accents. However, she only focuses on togetherness and their skills. No matter where the player was born, she (the player) will always remain the pride of Ireland, according to Gleeson.
Gleeson temporarily replaced Vera Pauw after the World Cup and decided to remain the head of FAI women’s and girl’s teams. However, her desire to be the Republic of Ireland Manager increased after watching her team win standing in the torrential rain. Thus, she applied for the job for the third time in October.
However, Gleeson discussed her increasing interest with Marc Canham, FAI director of football, and she was repeatedly asked whether she wanted to apply for the post. She stood firm on her decision and entered the recruitment process that she would not disclose to the world.
The 51-year-old also addressed the issue regarding unequal pay for male and female Republic of Ireland managers. She thinks the payment process has several complexities, terms, agreements, and discussions. So, she looks forward to diving into those complexities.
