Cork City FC have appointed Simon Grayson as their new football advisor to help the club achieve its vision and ambition. Grayson will work closely with the board to finalise the appointment of a new First Team Manager and establish robust football structures. The former Leeds United, Preston North End and Sunderland manager has spent much of his career operating in complex club environments, often during periods of transition or reset. That background is particularly relevant to Cork City, who have prioritised sustainability and stability following recent financial challenges and organisational restructuring. Grayson’s remit is expected to include input on football operations, recruitment structures, performance frameworks and longer-term planning, rather than short-term results. For the club’s board, the move provides access to the lived experience of running football departments at scale. Grayson’s career spans promotion campaigns, relegation battles and ownership transitions, giving him insight into risk management and strategic timing, skills that are increasingly valued as League of Ireland clubs operate in a more commercially demanding environment.