Mr Owens has today written to staff to tell them that he informed FAI chairman Roy Barrett on Wednesday that he is not going to seek appointment to the role of permanent chief executive officer.
In his letter, Mr Owens has also told staff that after last Mondays’ EGM voted overwhelmingly in support for the governance and reforms changes required, he has now completed all the objectives agreed with the board in January.
Mr Owens has been in charge since the FAI's financial rescue at the start of the year and he was expected to seek the permanent chief executive role.
Current Swim Ireland CEO and Olympic Federation of Ireland chairperson Sarah Keane is now seen as the front-runner for the position.
Speaking to FAI.ie, Gary Owens said: “On Wednesday, I informed our Independent Chairman Roy Barrett that I will not be seeking appointment to the role of permanent Chief Executive of the FAI.
“My objective in taking the interim role of Chief Executive was to help put the Association into a stable financial position with a new structure that would allow the Association to move forward with confidence.
“Over the last six months, we have delivered a financial package to ensure the solvency of the Association, have put a new Senior Leadership and a new International Management team in place and I am confident that this new team will bring the Association to a new level for the benefit of all."
I have confirmed to the Board that I am happy to provide interim leadership support.
“This team will have the support of our members who provided overwhelming support for the constitutional and governance changes required for sustainable reform at our EGM last Monday.
“I am also very proud of the role our staff played in delivering protocols for a Safer Return to Football for our members post COVID-19 in really difficult circumstances. I have really enjoyed working with all the staff at the FAI and I would like to thank Roy and the Board for appointing me as Interim CEO in February.
“I would also like to acknowledge the strong support provided by all our key stakeholders - Sport Ireland, the Department of Sport, UEFA, FIFA and Bank of Ireland - during what has been a very difficult time for the organisation. I am delighted that the members fully endorsed all the work completed during that time.
“I have confirmed to the Board that I am happy to provide interim leadership support during any transition period up to the appointment of a permanent CEO and I look forward to seeing the Association continue to develop in line with the strategy. I am now looking forward to reverting to my original plans in the business world.”
