Ireland Secures O'Shea, McCarthy, and Hreidarsson for Euro 2028

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

The trio will remain in place alongside head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson until the end of the qualifying cycle for Euro 2028, a tournament that will be staged on home soil in the UK and Ireland. It is a clear statement: the Football Association is backing this project for the long haul.

Hallgrimsson, who took charge earlier this year, has leaned heavily on the existing staff since his arrival. He made no attempt to hide their importance.

“Since I arrived, John, Paddy, and Gummi have been an incredible support to me and integral to everything we are building here,” he said, highlighting their deep understanding of both the squad and the domestic game. “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, still a towering figure in Irish football after his decorated playing career with Manchester United and his country, briefly stepped into the spotlight earlier this year when he oversaw four games as interim boss before Hallgrimsson’s appointment. Now he settles back into a key supporting role, but one with serious responsibility as Ireland try to plot a route to a major finals at home.

He called the extension an honour and underlined the scale of the opportunity in front of 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,” O’Shea said.

McCarthy, highly regarded for his work at Crystal Palace, will continue to combine his club duties with his position in the national set-up. That dual role keeps him plugged into Premier League trends and player development while feeding that knowledge straight into the international camp. Hreidarsson, a steady presence on the training ground and in the analysis room, completes a staff that Hallgrimsson clearly trusts.

The timing of the announcement is no accident. Ireland return to action later this month as they kick off a new Uefa Nations League campaign, with fixtures against Kosovo, Israel and Austria. Those games will not define the Euro 2028 journey, but they will shape the early rhythm of Hallgrimsson’s tenure.

With the head coach and his lieutenants now tied down until 2028, the message is unmistakable: the structure is set, the voices are chosen, and the countdown to a home European Championship starts in earnest.