Next Republic of Ireland Women Manager Odds
Vera Pauw took charge of Republic of Ireland Women in 2019 when the team was preparing for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 qualifiers. Although the Girls in Green missed out on the spot at the final tournament, the Dutch coach signed an extension in 2021. Pauw – very experienced in women’s international football – eventually helped Republic of Ireland Women qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the very first major tournament in the team’s history.
The Girls in Green were unlucky with the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, being placed in the same group as co-hosts Australia, Olympic winners Canada and Nigeria. The Republic of Ireland Women still managed to get one point, but on August 29, the federation announced that Vera Pauw had been dismissed from the position. With UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers coming up, the next Republic of Ireland manager odds have surged.
Republic of Ireland Women Next Manager Betting List
Lisa Fallon, who became the first female head coach of a professional men’s club in Ireland or the UK, sits atop the Republic of Ireland Women next manager odds. Eileen Gleeson, the current interim coach, is also on the list.
| Next Republic of Ireland Women Manager | PaddyPower ODDS |
|---|---|
| Lisa Fallon | 1.53 |
| Tom Elmes | 8.50 |
| Matt Beard | 10.00 |
| Eileen Gleeson | 11.00 |
| Laura Harvey | 13.00 |
Lisa Fallon
Lisa Fallon is a genuine trend-setter as she became the first woman to be head coach of a professional men’s club in either Ireland or the United Kingdom when she was appointed by Galway United in the League of Ireland First Division (second tier) back in 2021. That year, Galway finished second in the league but failed to achieve promotion through play-offs. However, we should mention that Lisa worked under the general management of John Caulfield.
Previously, Fallon held various coaching and analytical positions at Cork City in Ireland top division, Chelsea Women FC, Northern Ireland Men national team and others. She is currently employed by FIFA as a part of the Global Football Development Division.
If Fallon is appointed by Republic of Ireland Women, it would be her first managerial role at the top level.
Tom Elmes
Tom Elmes had been part of the Republic of Ireland Women coaching staff under Vera Pauw as an assistant coach since 2021. He combined his assistant role with the head coach position at Ireland Women U16, where he is still employed.
Elmes’s previous experience was all at the youth level, coaching Wexford Youths Women U18/19 teams between 2012 and 2015, leading the team to multiple wins in the youth leagues and cups. Elmes may lack experience at the top level but his previous work indicates that he has the ability to not only improve his players, but also deliver results.
Matt Beard
Unlike Elmes, Matt Beard has a ton of experience at the senior level. The Englishman started his career as the head coach of Millwall Lionesses in 2008. After achieving promotion to the top tier in his very first year, Beard was invited by Chelsea Ladies where he would spend the next three seasons.
Nevertheless, the 45-year-old’s best stint came with Liverpool Women between 2012 and 2015 where he won the 2012/13 and 2013/14 FA Women’s Super League. In 2021, Beard returned to Liverpool Women – having previously worked with Boston Breakers, West Ham United Women and Bristol City Women – and made them league champions once again.
Since Beard is one of the most distinguished name on the next Republic of Ireland manager odds list, it would take a lot to convince him to leave his current role.
Eileen Gleeson
As mentioned above, Eileen Gleeson will act as the interim manager of Republic of Ireland Women until a permanent coach is appointed. Apparently, she is also in the running for the spot, thus explaining her appearance on the next Republic of Ireland Women coach list.
Before assuming the interim job, though, Gleeson was acting as the Head of Women and Girls Football at the Football Association of Ireland, which is an administrative rather than coaching position. This is not to say that Gleeson does not have coaching experience, as she previously worked with the likes of Glasgow City, UCD Waves, Peamount United and as an assistant to Vera Pauw between 2019 and 2021.
Gleeson is considered to be one of the most successful coaches in women’s football in Ireland, winning multiple trophies with Peamount and UCD Waves.
Laura Harvey
As with Matt Beard, Laura Harvey isn't available for instant hire as she is currently the head coach of OL Reign (her second stint) in the United States. Harvey has a long CV with head coaching positions at Birmingham City Women, Arsenal Women, Utah Royals, as well as assistant roles at the United States Women’s national team and England Women’s U17, U19 and U23 national teams.
Harvey won three league titles and three cups with Arsenal Women and three league titles and one cup with OL Reign. The 43-year-old was named coach of the year on three occasions in the US and once in England.
While Harvey is more than qualified for the job at Republic of Ireland Women, it is difficult to imagine her leaving the current position in order to coach the Girls in Green.