Ireland Secure Key Staff for Euro 2028 Campaign
The Republic of Ireland have moved to cement stability behind the scenes, tying down key backroom figures John O'Shea, Paddy McCarthy and Gudmundur Hreidarsson on new deals running to 2028.
The trio’s extensions mirror the contract of head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, who committed earlier this year to stay in charge through the end of the Euro 2028 qualifying cycle, with the tournament to be staged in the UK and Ireland. The message from Abbottstown is clear: the project will live or die with this group.
Hallgrimsson has leaned heavily on his Irish-based staff since walking through the door. He did not disguise their importance.
“Since I arrived, John, Paddy, and Gummi have been an incredible support to me and integral to everything we are building here,” he said, underlining how their knowledge of the domestic game and player pool has fast‑tracked his transition. “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, who briefly carried the weight of the job himself as interim manager earlier this year, guiding Ireland through four fixtures before Hallgrimsson’s appointment, now settles back into a key supporting role – but with a long runway. The former Manchester United defender spoke of pride and purpose rather than compromise.
He described himself as “honoured” to extend his deal and called it “an incredibly exciting time for Irish football,” stressing that he is “fully focused on helping lead this team toward a major tournament on home soil at Uefa Euro 2028.”
McCarthy, meanwhile, will continue to straddle club and country. The Crystal Palace coach will keep his position at Selhurst Park while maintaining his duties with the national side, a dual role that keeps him close to Premier League trends and talent while feeding that experience back into the Ireland setup. Hreidarsson, a trusted Hallgrimsson lieutenant from their Icelandic roots, remains a crucial tactical and analytical voice.
The timing of the announcement is no accident. Ireland step back into competitive action later this month as their Uefa Nations League campaign begins, with fixtures against Kosovo, Israel and Austria. Results in that competition will shape rankings, seedings and, just as importantly, belief.
Now the structure is fixed. The staff are in place. The next question is whether this coaching team can turn continuity into a side ready to walk out at Euro 2028 on home soil with something more than sentiment on its side.
