Ireland's Denise O'Sullivan has questioned the decision made by the FAI to part ways with their assistant coach Colin Healy.
Healy had been Eileen Gleeson's number two during her 15-month tenure as manager which came to end earlier this month when the association announced that her contract as boss of the women's national team would not be renewed.
Denise O'Sullivan slams FAI decision not to renew Healy's contract
The North Carolina Courage captain reposted an article from the Irish Examiner on December 12th which confirmed that Healy had been relieved of her duties and said on X:
"When a coach of Colin Healy’s calibre wants to stay involved I think it’s common sense to do whatever you can to keep him on. Major loss for the team. I’m disappointed to say the least."
When a coach of Colin Healy’s caliber wants to stay involved I think it’s common sense to do whatever you can to keep him on. Major loss for the team. I’m disappointed to say the least. https://t.co/iSqLKf8Vjw
— Denise O'Sullivan (@OSullivanDenise) December 28, 2024
Healy's representatives Integrity Sport had released a statement in mid-December expressing their disappointment that their client had not had his contract renewed.
They said that the former Ireland international was "an exceptional coach" who had shown "unbelievable resolve" this year. Back in April the former Cork City player and manager's wife Kelly sadly passed away.
The statement from Integrity Sport also revealed that Healy had declined other managerial roles in order to continue his work with the women's national team, who failed to make next summer's Euros in Switzerland after suffering a play-off defeat against Wales over two legs.
Fellow Ireland international Caitlyn Hayes has now also aired her frustration with the FAI's decision to not renew Healy's contract.
The Celtic defender replied to Denise O'Sullivan on X saying:
"I couldn’t agree more. Colin went above and beyond his role as an assistant coach and for me personally, he couldn’t have done much more to help me settle into a team, that was very daunting at the beginning. I would be doing all that I could for him to stay if it was up to me."
I couldn’t agree more. Colin went above and beyond his role as an assistant coach and for me personally, he couldn’t have done much more to help me settle into a team, that was very daunting at the beginning. I would be doing all that I could for him to stay if it was up to me.
— Caitlin Hayes (@caitlin5hayes) December 29, 2024
The FAI are currently on the hunt for a successor to Eileen Gleeson, who will remain as an employee of the association. Healy's next move remains unclear.
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