Ireland Coaches Secure Contracts Through Euro 2028

The Republic of Ireland have moved to secure continuity on the touchline, with coaches John O'Shea, Paddy McCarthy and Gudmundur Hreidarsson all signing contract extensions through to 2028.

The trio will stay on as part of Heimir Hallgrimsson’s backroom team, mirroring the head coach’s own deal, which runs until the end of the Euro 2028 qualifying cycle. That tournament will be staged in the UK and Ireland, sharpening the focus on a home push for a major finals.

McCarthy will continue to juggle his international responsibilities with his role on the coaching staff at Crystal Palace, maintaining a club-country balance that has suited both parties.

“Since I arrived, John, Paddy, and Gummi have been an incredible support to me and integral to everything we are building here,” he said. “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, who stepped up as interim boss for four games in 2024 before Hallgrimsson took charge, spoke of pride at committing to the project.

He described himself as “honoured” to extend his deal and underlined what lies ahead for the group.

“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,” said the former Manchester United defender.

Attention now turns quickly from contracts to competition. The Republic of Ireland return to action later this month with the start of their Uefa Nations League campaign, facing Kosovo, Israel and Austria in a block of fixtures that will offer an early test of this locked-in coaching team’s direction.