The FAI has announced that David Courell will be the organisation's interim CEO after the current FAI CEO, Jonathan Hill, announced he would depart his position earlier in the day.
Hill joined the FAI as CEO in November 2020 and has been at the helm of the association for the past three and a half years, but announced that he would be stepping down on Monday.
Hill commented: "Since 2020, the FAI team and the wider football community have embraced what has been a radical transformation process for the association, and I'm proud of what has been achieved. We have developed a new, dynamic senior leadership team, a clear strategic vision, a bold plan to address football's wider infrastructure needs, and a stable and growing financial platform for further and sustainable growth.
"A notable step forward was the 2021 Equal Pay agreement, which has been a vital catalyst for the rapid rise of the women's senior national team over this period, culminating in a historic first World Cup appearance in Australia in 2023. Our successful bids to host EURO 2028 and the UEFA Europa League Final next month are testament to the progress delivered by the FAI staff and their incredible commitment and hard work. I firmly believe that the future is bright for Irish football."
FAI CEO Jonathan Hill (Image: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)The FAI also claimed that Hill will leave the association on April 30th, and an interim CEO will be announced in due course, followed by a structured search for a full-time successor.
Hours after the Hill departure was announced, the FAI released another piece of information to the press confirming that Courell would be the man to take the role on an interim basis. Courell, from Castlebar, County Mayo, has served as Chief Operating Officer of the FAI since February 2022.
"The Board of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Courell as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO)," said the press release."
Following the announcement of his appointment, David Courell also commented: “It is an honour to be asked to take on this post and a privilege to continue the positive work being carried out by the FAI. I look forward to working with the board, the talented senior leadership team, the FAI’s trusted partners, and our passionate and committed colleagues to progress our collective strategic ambitions.”
