Ireland Coaching Team Secured for Euro 2028

The Republic of Ireland have moved to cement the backbone of their coaching team, with John O'Shea, Paddy McCarthy and Gudmundur Hreidarsson all signing contract extensions through to 2028.

The decision keeps the trio in place alongside head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson for the full Euro 2028 qualifying cycle, a campaign that will build towards a home tournament shared between the UK and Ireland. Stability, at last, is the watchword.

Hallgrimsson, appointed earlier this year, has leaned heavily on the existing staff since stepping into the role. He made no attempt to hide 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 familiarity with the squad and domestic game has underpinned his early months in charge. “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’s journey, from interim boss to long-term lieutenant, gives the announcement extra weight. The former Manchester United defender guided Ireland through four matches in 2024 while the FAI searched for Stephen Kenny’s permanent successor, and his presence has offered continuity in a period of flux.

He called the extension an “honour” and framed it as part of a bigger picture. “It is an incredibly exciting time for Irish football, and I am fully focused on helping lead this team toward a major tournament on home soil at Uefa Euro 2028,” he said, leaning into the rare prospect of preparing for a finals in front of home fans.

McCarthy, highly regarded for his work at Crystal Palace, will continue to juggle club and country. His dual role keeps him embedded in the Premier League environment while feeding that experience back into the national setup. Hreidarsson, the former Iceland international, remains a trusted voice alongside Hallgrimsson, with the pair sharing deep roots in Nordic international football.

The extensions arrive on the eve of another test of Ireland’s direction. Later this month, Hallgrimsson’s side return to competitive action in the Uefa Nations League, with fixtures against Kosovo, Israel and Austria. Those games will not define the Euro 2028 journey, but they will reveal how quickly this now-settled coaching team can turn continuity into momentum.