Eileen Gleeson has her dream job.
It's the obvious choice - though the confirmation of her appointment as Republic of Ireland head coach still caught many off guard on Monday afternoon. Like all great twists, this one was staring us in the face the whole time.
In September, Gleeson took control of a squad on an emotional comedown following their first appearance at a World Cup and Vera Pauw's messy departure.
Gleeson brought Emma Byrne and Colin Healy into her backroom team, which was a smart move. Morale improved, and the wins rolled in as Ireland stomped past moderate opposition.
With every passing press conference, Gleeson's stance on taking the job on a permanent basis softened. Initially the Dubliner was adamant she'd be returning to her role as head of women's and girls' football. By November, she was refusing to definitively rule herself out of the running.
We know now that she had informed the FAI in October that she wanted to be considered for the position.
Of course Gleeson was interested. How could she not be?
Steeped in the domestic game here, Gleeson is well liked and respected by the players. From the FAI's point of view, she ticks plenty of boxes too.
Director of football Marc Canham - who spearheaded the search for Pauw's successor - wants a clear alignment between the underage teams and the senior setup.
Canham spent five years working with the English FA and nine years with the Premier League, where he implemented a successful Elite Player Performance Plan. He's keen to replicate that formula in this country; indeed one of the reasons the FAI decided against renewing Pauw's contract was her approach to some elements of training - strength and conditioning for one. The Dutchwoman refused to be swayed when it came to changing her methods.
In September, Canham elaborated on his vision for the game here. "Having a clear philosophy of how we want to play, how we want to coach, grassroots level to League of Ireland to academies to international teams, yes of course that costs a level of money, but having a really clear vision of what that looks like and then educating and supporting the workforce we have in the game... it doesn't cost millions and millions of euros," he said.
In Gleeson, the FAI have someone who will dutifully buy into that vision.
After the World Cup, the FAI's post-tournament review identified a need to lower the age profile of the squad with Euro 2025 and World Cup 2027 in mind. That process has very much started.
Gleeson has already made some hard-nosed calls, overlooking Amber Barrett in favour of Peamount United teenagers Erin McLaughlin and Ellen Dolan. Other experienced figures may find it hard to get back into the fold too as the new boss continues to mould her squad.
The longer the FAI's search went on, the stronger Gleeson's hand became. The Euro 2025 qualifiers kick off in April, so there wouldn't have been much time for a new arrival to familiarise themselves with the panel. That's not an issue now, with Gleeson offering continuity ahead of a crucial spring.
"We spoke with candidates from around the world and we are delighted to confirm Eileen as the outstanding candidate following an extensive interview process where we were pleased that Eileen decided to join the process in October following an excellent start to the UEFA Nations League campaign and discussions around her future," Canham said in a statement on Monday.
"We have seen how effective Eileen can be in the role - not just in the results achieved and the football played but in creating a positive, inclusive and high performing environment that brings the best out of everyone."
The challenge for Gleeson is to prove that she has the chops to take the team to the next level. The qualifiers begin in April and are certain to bring significantly tougher challenges than anything Ireland encountered in the Nations League.
She's in charge of a really ambitious, tough dressing room, full of strong characters, many of whom are playing at top clubs in the Women's Super League.
Diane Caldwell's withering assessment of Pauw in September was an insight into the standards now expected. "I think the results, performances that we got, were in spite of Vera being coach," she said. "We approached her many times about professionalising many aspects, but it was hard to get change."
It will be interesting to see who Gleeson appoints in her backroom team in the next few weeks. She served as Pauw's No 2 for a year before taking the Glasgow City job, so perhaps another new face might help to foster a sense of a fresh beginning.
Expectations will be sky high; qualification for the Euros is absolutely the goal, and if Ireland get there, they will be aiming to make the knockout stages.
It's a lofty target and it won't be easy, but it's the opportunity of a lifetime for a coach who has been working towards this for decades.
The stage is Eileen Gleeson's, and the spotlight has never been brighter.
