Having spent a good chunk of the autumn stonewalling questions around her potential candidacy for the Republic of Ireland job, Eileen Gleeson finds herself in the middle of another awkward purgatory.
Previously, Gleeson refused to definitively rule herself in or out of the running for the head coach role as she led the team on an interim basis throughout the successful UEFA Nations League campaign.
It later transpired that she was very much in, ultimately getting the gig off the back of six wins out of six.
The Dubliner was in a difficult situation then, and has since clarified that she didn't want to compromise the FAI's recruitment process by publicly declaring her interest.
Before taking the reins in September, Gleeson had served as the head of women's and girls' football.
The FAI have yet to find a replacement for that position. Last week there were reports that the association had changed it from being a permanent role to one with a fixed term. That inevitably led to speculation Gleeson might return to her old job once her managerial contract expires after the 2025 Euros.
When asked if there is anyone performing the head of women's and girls' football duty on an interim basis as the FAI continue their search, Gleeson said: "If you want to ask about that, ask Marc [Canham, the FAI's director of football]. I am fully focused here now and not focused on the head of women's and girls football.
"I am here, I am busy enough trying to take care of this stuff. I am not going to discuss any other roles."
After it was put directly to Gleeson if she would be going back to the position in a couple of years' time, she replied: "I am here to talk about this camp and preparation for the qualifiers. That’s as far as I am going with this conversation.
"I am just not going into it. It’s as simple as that. I am here as the head of coach of the women's national team and you are asking me about the head of women’s and girls’ football role. If you want to ask any questions about the camp, feel free."
Gleeson was speaking from Florence ahead of the Girls in Green's friendly against Italy on Friday.
They'll be without the injured Denise O'Sullivan [knee] and Tyler Toland [knee], with talented Peamount United 17-year-old Jess Fitzgerald receiving a first call-up to fill the void.
Former Chelsea striker Emily Murphy is also involved. The England underage international, who qualifies through her Dublin-born father, previously trained with the squad in April 2021.
"Emily is a good strong centre-forward who we feel can add value," said Gleeson.
"This camp is an opportunity to bring her in and get a further view on her. With various injuries, we do want to incorporate young players to the environment. It is a good opportunity to bring in Jess Fitzgerald and transition her through into this environment."
The other new face in camp is coach Rhys Carr, who comes into the backroom team alongside Emma Byrne and Colin Healy. Welshman Carr is a UEFA A Licence graduate who will double up his Ireland duties with his current work as a development coach at Wolves.
"Rhys, we feel, adds a whole new skill set," Gleeson added. "His specialisation is in coaching and he does broader coaching but it gives us an opportunity to be specific around individual development plans and working with units…forwards, midfielders, defenders.
"Great character, great experience, and brings a whole skillset to our support staff."
"It's a real benchmark of what the opposition will be for the qualifiers."
After the Italian game Ireland come back to Tallaght Stadium to take on Wales as they fine tune preparations for April's Euro 2025 qualifiers. They will learn who will join them in a four-team group once the draw is made on 5 March, but they're guaranteed to be up against the big guns.
Reward for gaining promotion in the Nations League is a place among the top 16 teams in Europe for qualifying, with the likes of England, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands all potential opponents.
That will be a major test of the side's credentials but even if Ireland finish bottom of their group they're guaranteed a spot in the play-off semi-finals.
Having cruised through a weak Nations League group, things are about to get serious again.
"It will be really important," Gleeson said of the upcoming friendly double-header.
"Italy have progressed since the World Cup and throughout the Nations League campaign. This is a real good benchmark of a game for us. We're in League A now, Italy will be in the second pot for the qualifiers. It's a real benchmark of what the opposition will be for the qualifiers."
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Reading – on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United), Jess Fitzgerald (Peamount United)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University)
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