Ireland Coaches O'Shea, McCarthy, and Hreidarsson Sign Extensions Through Euro 2028

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

The trio will remain in place alongside head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, whose own deal was extended earlier this year to cover the full qualifying cycle for Euro 2028, a tournament that will be staged in the UK and Ireland. It is a clear statement: the Football Association wants continuity in the dugout as the country builds toward a home finals.

McCarthy will continue to juggle his national-team duties with his coaching role at Crystal Palace, maintaining the club-and-country balance that has become part of his routine.

“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 in as interim boss for four games in 2024 before Hallgrimsson’s appointment, has effectively gone from caretaker to cornerstone of the project. The former Manchester United defender described himself as “honoured” to extend his deal and did not hide the scale of the opportunity ahead.

“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.

The long-term planning now meets short-term reality. Ireland return to action later this month as their Uefa Nations League campaign kicks off, with group fixtures against Kosovo, Israel and Austria offering an early test of a coaching unit that knows it will be together for the long haul.