Former Ireland Women's National Team assistant coach Colin Healy has slammed the FAI and FAI CEO David Courell for the way they handled his departure from the team last year. Healy was a key part of Eileen Gleeson's staff, but Gleeson was relieved of her duties. However, it was not communicated in the FAI statement that Healy was to depart too.
The Cork native was also a contender to become the next head coach of the Women's National Team, but that didn't materialise. A statement from his management, Integrity Sports, claimed that Healy declined to pursue two different management offers due to his complete dedication to his work with the FAI, Gleeson, her staff, and the players.
Players like Denise O'Sullivan tweeted their displeasure on X, saying, "When a coach of Colin Healy’s calibre wants to stay involved, I think it’s common sense to do whatever you can to keep him on. Major loss for the team. I’m disappointed, to say the least," the Cork native said on X.
Today, a second emotive statement has been released by Integrity Sports, slamming the FAI and their CEO for how they went about his dismissal from the role.
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Healy claimed he was informed just weeks before the decision that there would be a recommendation to extend his contract. The former WNT assistant alleges that Marc Canham violated a verbal agreement by removing him from his position and that CEO David Courell mistakenly believed Healy had voluntarily left the role.
Healy also added that he intends to lodge a formal complaint with the FAI’s Director of People and Culture over his treatment as an employee.
The full statement from Integrity Sports reads:
"On 11 December 2024, a few minutes before the FAI announced Eileen Gleeson would not continue as Women's National Team Head Coach, I received a very short call from Director of Football Marc Canham, and he informed me that my contract as assistant coach would not be renewed," it said.
"The news came as a shock, as only a few weeks before, the same man had verbally assured me his recommendation to the board would be that my contract should be extended alongside Eileen's.
"The previous conversation took place prior to the playoff game against Wales, when I was offered the position of Cobh Ramblers manager and needed to make a decision on my future.
"The following day, after I'd digested the FAI's decision and noticed they had failed to mention that I had been let go within their statement, I asked my representatives at Integrity Sports to announce that I had been let go. It was important to me that the squad members knew that I had not chosen to leave, given the respect and loyalty I felt towards every single one of them.
"On the morning of 12 December 2024, I received a text from FAI CEO David Courell—who I believe to be a very decent man—sincerely thanking me for my time with the association. But rather surprisingly, David also expressed genuine sorrow that it had been communicated to him that I had made the decision not to continue, whilst also being very clear that the FAI would have welcomed an opportunity for me to continue my work with them. In reply, I informed David that it was not my decision to leave and that I was, in fact, let go.
"I have taken some time over Christmas to allow the dust to settle. The last year has been the toughest of my life, given that I lost my wife. I did not want to make any decision on how to progress with this issue while emotional. But it has been over a month since I was relieved of my responsibilities at the FAI, and the nature of my treatment still feels completely unacceptable.
"Marc Canham was aware that the Cobh opportunity offered me long-term employment at a really progressive club. The position allowed me to combine my coaching career with my duties as a single father to my two young children at a club close to my own home in Cork," it added.
The statement continued:
"Although I loved working with the WNT and felt a huge loyalty to the staff and to the players, given my family situation, the financial security the Cobh position offered felt irresponsible to ignore.
"I eventually made the decision to stay with the WNT and allowed my heart to rule my head based on the confidence Marc Canham showed that I'd continue to work with the FAI beyond my contract expiration.
"I am not naive and have been in football a very long time—coaches lose their jobs, which is just the harsh reality of sport. But there is a way to behave and a way to treat people.
"I feel the treatment I received lacked transparency and compassion and that there was a total disregard shown towards my welfare as an employee—a reality that now sees me out of work and affects my ability to provide for my children.
"Furthermore, I do not understand how David Courell, in his position as CEO, could have been under the initial impression that I had chosen to leave the association when that was never the case—something I find particularly unsettling.
"The association has been quite vocal recently about the importance of protecting the welfare and dignity of everyone involved within football in Ireland. The 'Play it Right' campaign was so important and has been embraced by the majority of people at all levels of the game.
Belfast , United Kingdom—5 December 2023; Republic of Ireland interim assistant coach Colin Healy before the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)"In my opinion, the behaviour I have experienced is completely contrary to the message of respect that the FAI upholds.
"With that in mind, it is my intention to make a formal complaint to the Director of People and Culture at the FAI in relation to my treatment while an employee, it explained further.
"It is my belief that this issue should be investigated as a matter of urgency, and I hope that the lessons learnt will ensure that the future conduct of people within leadership roles at the FAI is aligned with the principles of their own welfare and ethics directives, which are designed to protect all affiliates under their care.
"I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Denise O'Sullivan and all of the players who reached out to support me upon hearing the facts of my treatment while also making their feelings known to the FAI. I feel I owe a debt of gratitude to these players that I can never repay.
"When Kelly passed away, my children and I decided that I should go back to work quickly so we could find some form of normality. Football has been a huge part of our lives for as long as we can remember. My work with the staff and players helped me get through my toughest days. Their support enabled me to find peace of mind that allowed me to give the best version of myself to my children when they needed me.
"Yet again in this instance, Denise and the players have been there when I have needed them. In a generation where too many refuse to stand up for others and do the right thing when they can affect behaviour that is well below the level we should all expect to receive, these women do not just talk about principle—they live it and lead by example. It was one of the honours of my life to work with them.
"I would like to wish Carla Ward and all her staff the very best of luck. Like everyone who loves this country, I will be supporting Carla and everyone involved within the squad wholeheartedly."
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