David Courell has been appointed as the new permanent Chief Executive Officer of the FAI.
He has served as Chief Operating Officer of the FAI since February 2022 and as Interim CEO of the organisation since April 2024.
Originally from County Mayo, he studied Commerce at UCD and gained a Masters in Business Studies there before beginning his career in the UK as a Management Consultant with Deloitte.
He moved into the sports industry working in senior roles across the London 2012 Olympic Games, as Director of Operations and Deputy Chef de Mission for Team GB at the Rio Paralympic Games.
He became Head of Business Management at the English FA and was heading its 2030 FIFA World Cup Bid feasibility group before moving back to Ireland with his family in 2022 to take up his initial role as COO with the FAI.
Affable and popular he fitted comfortably into the interim role after Jonathan Hill’s return to England earlier this year and delivered on significant funding from Government in the past two weeks, possibly to seal the deal with the FAI Board.
“It is an honour to assume the position of CEO of the FAI on a permanent basis. Ireland has a rich footballing history, and the game continues to play a significant role in Irish society engaging more than 400,000 people every year,” he said.
“In saying that I came home two years ago as I felt that Irish Football had huge unrealised potential and that I could play my part in unlocking it. In working with the brilliant staff we have at the Association and through embedding myself in the Irish football community that belief has only strengthened.”
“While there is a lot to do, we also have a lot to celebrate and build upon. I look forward to working with our Chair, President and the Board, General Assembly, staff, partners and our wider community to guide the Association into the future and I thank the Board of the FAI for their ongoing support.”
“Following a thorough process, we are delighted to confirm David as the new CEO of the Association,” added FAI Chair Tony Keohane.
“His tenure as interim CEO has shown him to be a respected and collaborative leader with a deep understanding of what is required to keep Irish Football moving forward into the future.”
“Along with the rest of the Board and the leadership team, I am confident that under his leadership, we will make real progress in fulfilling the potential of the sport in this country.”
“On behalf of Irish Football, I’m pleased that David has been appointed as CEO,” added FAI President Paul Cooke.
“We have already seen the benefit that his leadership and guidance has brought to the Association in the past number of months, in particular the positive relationships that have been built upon with key political and football stakeholders.”
“I look forward to working with him as we continue to build a positive future for Ireland’s biggest participation sport.”
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
