Marc Canham: FAI announces exit of chief football officer

Chief football officer Marc Canham will leave his role with the Football Association of Ireland.

The Englishman has been in his position with the FAI since June 2022 and will remain in post to facilitate a handover with the process to find his replacement beginning immediately.

The 42-year-old said he will be leaving to “explore new personal and professional opportunities” in the UK.

“After much consideration, I have made the decision to leave the association and relocate back to England,” said Canham.

“This decision has not been an easy one to come to, but I believe that the time is right to explore new personal and professional opportunities for me and my family.”

Canham was a key figure in the development of the FAI’s Football Pathways Plan, a document intended to outline the future of the game in the Republic of Ireland, as well as the protracted process to replace senior men’s team boss Stephen Kenny with Heimir Hallgrimsson and the decision not to renew Eileen Gleeson’s contract as manager of the senior women’s team.

FAI president Paul Cooke said: “While we are sad to see Marc leave, we fully respect his decision, and I sincerely thank him for his dedication and hard work throughout his time with us.

“His leadership and hard work in driving forward the Football Pathways Plan has set a strong foundation for the future of Irish football which we all now need to deliver upon.”