Stephen Bradley reveals why he walked out on Ireland job interview

June 12, 2025

Stephen Bradley has sensationally revealed the time he walked out of an interview for the Ireland job.

Back in 2023, Ireland’s FAI were on the hunt for a new manager after deciding against renewing Stephen Kenny’s contract.

Ireland had failed to qualify for the Euros and he oversaw a draw with New Zealand in an underwhelming final game.

Bradley was one of the names linked with the vacant post, having impressed since taking charge of Shamrock Rovers in 2016.

There was also a desire to appoint a manager from Ireland, with Lee Carsley and Neil Lennon also names being touted for the position.

How Stephen Bradley walked out of the Ireland interview

Bradley, 40, revealed that he was approached through the back channels initially having declared his interest in the role.

He told Off the Ball: “I was approached through back channels at the start, asking if this was something that I would be interested in, and having that conversation.

“Obviously the answer was yes. So a meeting was set up between myself and Mark Canham and Jonathan Hill, and unfortunately, both Mark and Jonathan were late for the meeting, 15 minutes late, so I left.

“That probably summed up how serious the interest was for me to have the job, which I found disrespectful and not good enough, to be honest with you.

“If I was someone who they were really serious about having that job, they would not have been late for that meeting.”

Ireland handed the role to John O’Shea on a caretaker basis before appointing Heimir Hallgrimsson permanently almost 12 months ago.

Ambitions to manage at the top level

Bradley has not been shy in previous interviews to state his ambitions to manage Ireland.

However, he’s keen to stress that he’s in no rush as he continues to flood Shamrock Rovers’ trophy cabinet.

Their run of four consecutive league titles was ended last season by Damien Duff’s Shelbourne however, they look on track to make amends as they currently sit six points clear at the top.

Bradley’s son was also diagnosed with leukaemia in 2022 and focusing on his health and wellbeing remains his priority.

Bradley added: “I’ve made no secret of the fact that I want to manage at the highest level.

“I want to manage at the highest level possible, and that’s my ambition, that’s my hunger, that’s my desire.

“Has there been opportunities in the last few years? Yeah, there have been opportunities, but the personal circumstances don’t allow for that.

“Please God, in the future we get good news and the whole picture becomes clearer. In the last two and a half years, there’s no job in the world that would have taken me away from my family situation.”