FAI High Performance Director Ruud Dokter is to leave his position at the end of 2021 after eight years in the role.
Dokter, whose stint as High Performance director has often been tumultuous, said in his resignation statement that football in Ireland is now "stronger than ever before at all levels of the game."
"I have informed CEO Jonathan Hill and the Board of the FAI that I will be leaving my role on 31 December," Dokter said in a statement released by the FAI this afternoon.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the FAI and I will be forever proud of the work that we have undertaken together at the FAI and the positive moves we have made for the game in Ireland.
"I believe football is stronger than ever before at all levels of the game in Ireland and with a clear pathway for players and coaches that can lead Ireland to greater success on the international stage in years to come, as framed within the ongoing FAI Strategy 2022-2025 debate."
Dokter succeeded his fellow Dutchman Wim Koevermans in April 2013, overseeing the creation of underage national leagues.
This endeavour caused considerable friction with Ireland's premier schoolboy clubs, who were dissatisfied with the manner of their creation. However, the FAI, with Dokter influential, pressed ahead with the change.
"This couldn't have happened without having such excellent, passionate and dedicated staff and I want to thank them all for their hard work to bring High Performance to the next level," Dokter continued
"I also want to thank my colleagues and everyone who has worked with me for the last eight years as we strived to make Irish football better for all concerned.
"Lastly, I want to acknowledge the great work done by coaches and volunteers in clubs and leagues across the country, particularly in the underage game. It was an honour and a privilege to represent the FAI as its High Performance Director for those years and I appreciate the continued support I received from Stephen, Vera, the Board and CEO Jonathan Hill."
Stephen Kenny paid tribute to Dokter, saying he had taken "unpopular decisions" to improve the development of football in Ireland.
"It has been a great experience for me working with Ruud for almost three years, firstly with the U21's and then the Senior International Team.
"The players and their development were at the centre of every decision he took as he helped create and foster an ego free culture amongst the coaches. Ruud would always ask the question 'what is best for the player?'
"Having studied different development plans and systems throughout Europe he had a clear vision of how to develop players in Ireland and was prepared to make unpopular decisions to improve the development of football in Ireland and the culture supporting that."
Vera Pauw hailed her compatriot's efforts in developing the women's game in Ireland and said he was a key figure in convincing her to take on the role of women's senior manager.
"Throughout my coaching career I have had nothing but respect for my colleague Ruud and I was really excited to finally get the chance to work with him again when I took on the Ireland women's team role in 2019. He was a huge influence in that decision and really sold his vision for the women’s game in Ireland to me.
"The FAI will have a big task to find someone who can pursue the road of all development programs that have been developed."
FAI Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Hill said that the fruits of Dokter's work were now being seen with the young crop of players currently breaking into the men's and women's senior set-ups.
"Ruud can be proud of his time with the FAI and leaves with our best wishes.
"The establishment of the Player Development Plan, the creation of a clear philosophy for underage football across the country and the growth and high standards of our Coach Education offering, as recognised by both FIFA and UEFA, has seen a flow of young players now coming into our senior international set-ups and this is all testament to his work over the years.
"On behalf of everyone at the FAI, I wish Ruud and his family well in the future."
The FAI's Head of Coach Education Niall O’Regan said that Dokter had left the FAI with a "Coach Education programme now recognised as an example to follow for football associations across the world.
"Both FIFA and UEFA have used the FAI model as the best in practice and that is a testament to Ruud's work in this area since 2013."
The FAI said they will now advertise a new Director of Football role, in keeping with the vision of the FAI Strategy 2022-25, which is currently under discussion.
