Surprise Departures

Republic of Ireland defender Aoife Mannion has expressed her surprise at the departures of manager Eileen Gleeson and assistant coach Colin Healy. The duo did not have their contracts renewed following Ireland's Euro 2025 play-off defeat by Wales in December.

New Leadership

Carla Ward has been appointed as Gleeson's replacement and will lead the team in their upcoming Nations League opener against Turkey on Friday. Mannion, who has yet to play under Ward, has spoken highly of the new manager, describing her as "really excited, ambitious, and hungry for the team to do well."

Mannion's Personal Reflections

Mannion shared her personal sentiments about the departures, stating, "I really liked Colin, as I liked Eilo [Gleeson]. It was a surprise for me when they were let go. I loved coming into camps under them, so on a personal level, I'll really miss them."

Mannion also described Healy as "someone of high integrity and commitment," and expressed her sadness upon reading his statement on Instagram, where he criticized the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) for the manner of his departure.

Internal Reviews and Future Outlook

The FAI has denied Healy's claims that he was given assurances of continued employment, with director of football Marc Canham stating that no guarantees were made and the decision was purely football-based. Mannion emphasized the importance of clarity and communication within the organization, urging the FAI to ensure that such situations are minimized in the future.

Looking Ahead

With the experienced trio of Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell, and Julie-Ann Russell retiring from international duty, Mannion acknowledged their significant contributions to the team. She highlighted Fahey and Caldwell as role models, saying, "Niamh Fahey and Diane Caldwell were massive role models as defenders and people for me, personally."

As the Republic of Ireland prepares for their upcoming matches, Mannion remains optimistic about the team's future under Ward's leadership, expressing her eagerness to see the new manager's vision and plans unfold.