Ex-Manchester United defender, John O’Shea, has been given limited time to decide whether or not to accept a proposal to take on the role of assistant coach for the Republic of Ireland, under coach Heimir Hallgrímsson. The ex-manager for teams such as Iceland and Jamaica contacted O’Shea just this Wednesday, with hopes that he would continue as part of the Irish football infrastructure. His responsibilities would include helping the team gear up for the North America World Cup of 2026. O’Shea has already stepped in as a stand-in manager for multiple friendly matches against Hungary, Portugal, Switzerland and Belgium.
However, O’Shea’s limited managerial experience led to the FAI’s head of football, Marc Canham, appointing Hallgrímsson. The foreign head coach admitted that he believes the continued involvement of a local coach like O’Shea, who understands both the players and the native culture, would be massively beneficial.
According to Hallgrímsson, an Irish coach is beneficial, but the most important aspect is to have a good coach, which he believes characterises O’Shea. Hallgrímsson acknowledges that transitioning from head coach to an assistant role might be challenging for O’Shea, but he emphasizes that the choice ultimately lies with O’Shea.
Hallgrímsson and his wife Iris are expected to move to Ireland prior to the Nations League matches against England and Greece this early September. His debut match as the Irish coach was the Uefa conference league qualifier, held in Tolka Park positioned against Shelbourne and St Joseph’s.
The 231-day recruitment process revealed issues of timing, with revelations that attempts were made to persuade Hallgrímsson to abandon Jamaica earlier, before the Copa America, to manage the Irish team for friendlies against Hungary and Portugal. However, the 57-year-old declined the proposition.
In March, the FAI engaged in unofficial discussions with Hallgrímsson, which contradicts Canham’s claim from February that an appointment was imminent. Canham, the director of football, had suggested that by early April a successor for Stephen Kenny would be named.
Canham admitted they shouldn’t have made such a commitment, but also affirmed their continued choice was Hallgrímsson. Despite adjustments made over the past three months, he assured that Heimir remained their top candidate. However, Hallgrímsson, the newly appointed coach, contradicted this by indicating the decision had been made only in the last few weeks.
Heimir had another coaching proposition to contemplate before notifying the Jamaica Federation in June that he would leave after the team’s Copa elimination earlier this month. Canham asserted that Hallgrímsson was the model candidate owing to his stunning record of guiding Iceland to the Euro 2016 knockout stages, qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, and, most recently, taking Jamaica to the Copa. The critical factor was the drastic rise of both teams in global rankings.
Heimir was the only individual offered a contract, despite earlier reports linking several educators, including Lee Carsley, Willy Sagnol, Gus Poyet, and Roy Keane, to the open spot. Whilst they maintained touch with other prospects, Canham affirmed that they held candid discussions with Heimir and were willing to wait for their first preference.
Hitting back at criticism, Canham stated they did not intend to deceive anyone and concede their communication could have been better. According to Hallgrímsson, he received other offers but was drawn towards Ireland. Despite time constraints for preparation against England in September, he assured they’ll give their best.
Preceding their discussion at Aviva Stadium, David Courell, FAI’s interim chief executive, tried to elucidate why the Irish men’s manager’s reveal coincided with the unveiling of historical allegations of improper relations and unwanted advances by male coaches towards Irish female athletes.
“Courell emphasised that our inclination would have been to reveal this news at an alternate time, but due to a myriad of considerations, we were compelled to go ahead with it today,”.
“Notwithstanding today being a significant day for Irish soccer, the valiant women are continuously in our minds. Their issue continues to hold utmost importance in the association,” he added.
The disclosure also interfered with Friday’s Nations League game between Ireland and England hosted at Carrow Road in Norwich.
Courell stated, “Our attempt has been to show sheer respect to the women’s international team. We previously discussed this with Eileen (Gleeson, head coach). She comprehends.
“Regrettably, this is the side of professional football that we need to accept. There’s always a clash in the schedule, and thus timing for such news is never perfect. Our top choice was certain and we desired for him to kickstart his role as promptly as possible.”