FAI silent on restructuring as process ‘based on competency’ takes shape

THE FAI have declined to comment on the thinking behind a swift restructuring of the Association’s executive which has created a new brief for Stephen Kenny and given internal candidates until Friday to apply for four roles – including the post of League of Ireland director.

Board members have asked questions about the speed of the process with interim CEO Gary Owens working alongside human resources consultant Yvonne Clancy to strip down the football body’s executive team from 14 to nine, with affected employees effectively having to reapply for their positions.

Top-table concerns include Owens’ central role in the changes given that the FAI have started the process of appointing a permanent

CEO. He is a potential candidate.

Ireland manager Kenny will have a seat on the executive as the international football director.

The FAI has sought internal applications for the positions of League of Ireland director, chief operations officer, head of grassroots, and commercial & marketing director.

Niall Quinn is tipped for the League of Ireland position and correspondence with staff had indicated that the successful applicant would occasionally fill in as deputy CEO if the CEO was away – the ex-Ireland striker is currently acting as deputy CEO.

However, that line was not included on the final mail to employees which called for expressions of interest by Friday.

The FAI workforce were told that the senior leadership roles were “open for internal selection” using an “independent competency-based process for which employees who feel that they meet the experience and competency requirements of a role may express an interest in”.