Vera Pauw's future as Ireland manager might not be resolved ahead of next summer’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.
The Dutchwoman’s current deal expires at the end of Ireland’s involvement in their first ever major tournament.
And there are currently no plans to hold formal talks over a new deal ahead of July, according to FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill.
“While Vera and I speak on a regular basis, we haven’t talked about her future beyond her current contract,” he replied, to a query about the potential for negotiations.
“She and I both want her to concentrate as much as possible on the upcoming tournament and genuinely we’ve given just about everything she’s asked for, and wants and needs, in terms of infrastructure and people, preparation.
“We do have games sorted out right through to the start of the tournament.
“Contractually, we haven’t finalised the games that will take place in April and July. We’ll make those announcements.
“That’s what Vera is completely concentrating on, and I think that’s right.”
Pauw made history in October when she guided the Girls in Green to a first ever qualification, thanks to a 1-0 play-off win against Scotland.
It crowned a remarkable year of sporting highs and off-field turbulence for the experienced coach and former Netherlands international.
During the campaign she revealed that she was sexually abused as a player in the 1980s, while in December she was named in a report into misconduct in the US National Women’s Soccer League.
Pauw’s swift denial of the allegations came as she received the full support of Hill and the FAI.
And that backing has extended into preparations for next summer’s finals, which kick off next month with a friendly against China in Marbella, and a behind-closed-doors game with Germany.
She won’t be rushed by the association, however, into committing her long-term future to Ireland.
“I dare say myself and Vera will sit and chat generally about it. It’ll make sense to do that,” Hill continued.
“At the moment, she knows contractually what the position is.”
Pauw wasn’t the only Ireland manager whose tenure drew questions at Saturday’s third attempt to complete the FAI’s 2022 AGM.
Stephen Kenny’s reign would extend to the play-offs for Euro 2024, should Ireland fail to make the top-two in qualification and be eligible for the back-door route.
The Boys in Green will kick off their campaign at home to France in March and will also face the Netherlands, Greece and Gibraltar this year.
“Stephen has a contract until the end of the Euro 2024 qualification campaign, whenever that point may be reached. The play-offs are part of that,” said Hill.
“My view is that Stephen and his team are at the start of what’s going to be an incredibly challenging but also incredibly exciting year in relation to our men’s senior team.
“As with Vera, we should be giving Stephen all the support we can do to make sure he’s ready and prepared as he can be for the France game.”
Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that Jim Crawford’s spell in charge of the Under-21s would be extended until the end of the 2025 European Under-21 Championship campaign.
Extensions have been agreed with Crawford and his coaches, Alan Reynolds and John O’Shea.
Both Reynolds and O’Shea will continue to double-up with their club commitments, at Derry City and Stoke City respectively.
Under that coaching team, Ireland made it to the Euro play-offs last year and lost out on penalties to Israel, while the country also climbed to a record high 19th in the UEFA rankings.
