The FAI is adamant it can meet the needs of Irish football despite shedding a quarter of its staff. The FAI were unable to provide comparison details, only it came under headings of playing base, players in international football and club football. For instance, they want eight League of Ireland clubs to have their own transition year courses and running within the next four years. “‘Access to clear and consistent player pathways varies across the country’ and that ‘League of Ireland clubs operate with far lower staffing, facilities and commercial capacity than European peers’. When it comes to the blame game, the FAI pointedly surmised: “This is not an effort problem.

Source: Irish Examiner March 10, 2026 18:09 UTC