John Delaney has signed a new five year contract to remain as CEO of the Football Association of Ireland. His annual salary will remain at €360,000, down 10% on what it was at a peak.
News of the deal broke in the Irish Sun yesterday which will have caused ripples at the Irish Independent who are the official media partner of the Association.
The deal will keep Delaney at the FAI until at least 2020 when it is hoped that Ireland will be hosting some of the matches in the European Championship Finals. A decision on the allocation of venues for that is expected in September.
Delaney admitted in the paper that it was a well paid role but pointed to the growth of revenues coming into the FAI, from €7 million in 1996 to an estimated €40 million in 2014 as being proof of how he had driven the business forward.
It has been a good week for the FAI with no fall in the World Rankings published yesterday, albeit only at 70th. Both Sligo Rovers in the Europa League and St Pats in the Champions’ League have secured surprise results and go into today’s draw for the third round of qualifying with genuine prospects of advancing further.
Most importantly for the future Ireland’s U19 Women’s team defeated Spain during the week in their first ever appearance at the European Championship Finals. A win over England in Norway tonight will ensure a semi final spot.
Delaney’s deal though does cast a question over who will succeed Pat Hickey as Chairman of the Olympic Council of Ireland.
The Waterford man has been Deputy in recent times and with Hickey taking on greater responsibilities within the European and International Olympic Committees there was a suggestion he may not seek re-election to the Irish post at the AGM later this year. Hickey has held the role of President now for 26 years.
It is thought unlikely that Delaney would be able to combine the two roles, both of which consume an enormous amount of time.
The FAI AGM takes place on July 26th.
