Ireland Coaching Team Secured Until Euro 2028

The Republic of Ireland have moved to cement stability behind the scenes, tying assistant coaches John O'Shea, Paddy McCarthy and Gudmundur Hreidarsson to new deals running until 2028.

The trio’s extensions mirror the contract signed earlier this year by head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, keeping the entire senior coaching team in place through the qualifying campaign for Euro 2028, which will be hosted in the UK and Ireland.

McCarthy will continue to juggle his international duties with his role on the coaching staff at Crystal Palace, maintaining his dual-track development on club and country fronts.

Hallgrimsson's Praise

Hallgrimsson hailed the importance of his backroom team, stressing how quickly they have become central to his project since he took charge.

“Since I arrived, John, Paddy, and Gummi have been an incredible support to me and integral to everything we are building here,” he said. “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.”

O'Shea's Commitment

O'Shea, who stepped in as interim boss for four games in 2024 before Hallgrimsson’s appointment, spoke of the pride he feels in committing his future.

He described himself as “honoured” to extend his deal and underlined the scale of the opportunity ahead.

“It is an incredibly exciting time for Irish football, and I am fully focused on helping lead this team toward a major tournament on home soil at Uefa Euro 2028,” said the former Manchester United defender.

Looking Ahead

Attention now turns to the next block of fixtures. Ireland return to action later this month as they kick off their Uefa Nations League campaign with matches against Kosovo, Israel and Austria — the first steps of a long road that now has a firmly settled coaching team at its helm.