FitzGerald on FA list

One More Thing: As the FAI ponders whether it should appoint a foreign coach to succeed Steve Staunton, its counterpart in England is considering appointing an Irishman as its first independent chairman.

Reuters chairman and Sligo native Niall FitzGerald is reported to be on a three-man shortlist for the plum £300,000 a year part-time role.

The job spec includes getting England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup up and running. It is not clear if being FA chairman would conflict with FitzGerald's Reuters role.

The FA is hiring from outside football to boost its credibility after a number of corporate mishaps over the past decade.

FitzGerald, a Man United fan and former chief executive of Unilever, is believed to be up against former Vodafone boss and cricket fan Sir Christopher Gent and David Triesman, a parliamentary under-secretary in the department of innovations, universities and skills. The winning candidate will be revealed in December.

© 2007 The Irish Times

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