Niall Quinn says he departs the FAI happy that he is leaving the Association in a better place than he found it back in January.
It was announced on Monday that Quinn would be stepping away from his role as interim deputy CEO.
"I certainly wasn’t pushed," Quinn told Virgin Media.
"To be honest there was never anything but the interim role for the deputy.
"I think the CEO could have had designs on becoming a future permanent CEO but there was no role for me. I knew that, everybody close to it would have known that.
"To be honest with you, the time has flown. I can’t believe it’s been seven months. In that seven months, we were charged with bringing a bit of trust and confidence back into the game and allowing for funding to be restored.
"We had to try and bring in reforms that would stand up to scrutiny in terms of electoral reform, financial governance, procurements and making sure there was a policy there for everything the Association was spending.
"So it was quite varied and then of course there was all the constituents, be it League of Ireland, schoolboys football, women’s football, football for all.
"The pressure was on from day one but Covid-19 made it tougher.
"All in, it was a memorable experience. I wouldn't say that all of it was great and there was hostility there. I understand why, outsiders coming in and taking the mantle of bringing the Association on when people who'd put a lot of work into the game at best were pushed to one side and at worst blamed for what went on."
Earlier this week, Niall Quinn left his role as Interim Deputy CEO of the FAI.
Niall discusses his time at the association here, and why there was a never going to be a permanent role for the Deputy CEO.#COYBIG | #NationsLeague | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/TepHProrUr— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 8, 2020
Quinn added: "I thought I knew a bit about the FAI - I didn't. The thing that stands out the most for me is the staff at HQ in Abbotstown and the work that they put in. It's unheralded. People don't get to read about it but it's quite phenomenal."
See Also: Giles Sees Doherty/Coleman Mistake In Kenny's First Two Games
