Heimir Hallgrímsson, the newly appointed manager for Ireland’s national football team, took a moment to survey the room during his inaugural press conference. Despite perhaps hoping for a warm reception, he found himself contending with numerous questions related to non-football-related issues.
A dentist by profession, Hallgrímsson’s induction may have felt akin to sitting in the dental chair, leveraged against a barrage of queries. However, in terms of style, the new manager made quite the entrance. Sporting a casual beige double-breasted overshirt atop a white buttonless number, paired with checked trousers and stylish cream Adidas kicks brightened up by colourful striped socks from Paul Smith, he made a striking impression. It raises the question whether the designer Smith might just be eligible to represent Ireland.
Football aside, one could easily visualise Hallgrímsson leading a poetry workshop seated on a swivel stool than looking down at a patient with dental drill in hand. However, at Thursday’s press conference, the prevalent theme was not to delve into his footballing ideology.
Numerous queries were directed at Marc Canham and David Courell, covering an array of topics such as the 231-day appointment process, the stand on the allegations of historical sexual abuse in women’s football that came to light the same week, the timing of the press conference a day before the women’s team takes on England, and even Mason Greenwood’s suspected ties to Jamaica when Hallgrímsson was manager.
Regarding Greenwood, Hallgrímsson was unequivocal, stating, “I completely disagree with his actions, just to put it out there.” He added.
Despite the negative overtone of his inaugural press conference, the new manager for Ireland remained poised and collected. He found himself amidst criticism, however, his initial reactions did not display defensiveness or unease. Instead, he was amiable, frank, and highly engaging.
Hallgrímsson has chosen to reside on Irish soil along with his wife, Iris, who was also present at the Aviva Stadium on the day of unveiling. They will be commence their search for a new abode immediately.
Hallgrímsson confessed that himself and his wife desired to familiarise themselves with the distinct culture, locals, and particularly the football culture on the island, within the next few days. He elaborated, “Even at a distance of a two-hour plane ride from Iceland, understanding locals and culture would be more beneficial for my role. To put it simply, Iris and I find Irish people similar to Icelanders, good-natured, humble, diligent people. We feel back at home when we witness people singing heartily over a pint, just like us. There’s a palpable affinity between the two nations. This is indeed why we feel at home here, for we relate to the culture and the charisma of the Irish, and they’ve been nothing but hospitable.”
Despite the prolonged ordeal of identifying a new manager since November, the conclusion to the search arrived unexpectedly and swiftly this week.
In the past 48 hours, there has been an unusual influx of Irish users on Google, all looking up details on Icelandic football managers who are also proficient at root canal procedures. This would certainly give analytics a run for their money.
Managing Ireland will add to his repertoire, as it will be his third island nation assignment, adding to his experience with Iceland and Jamaica.
As a coach for a national team, enjoying only a limited amount of time with players, mastering the basics is crucial before moving onto more complex areas, he stressed. To be effective, a team needs to be well-organised, tight-knit, and robust – these are fundamental elements for a national squad.
In his preparation, he’s viewed recordings of Ireland’s previous friendly games, noting a series of highs and lows, a sentiment reflective of recent years of Irish football. Importantly, he doesn’t intend to stick firmly to one playing style.
Through his career, he’s implemented a variety of tactical formations, including four-back and using three defenders when facing powerful adversaries. Choosing the appropriate formation is highly contingent on the players at his disposal and the opposition squad. More critical than formation, he believes, are the underlying principles: reactions to game situations, defence strategy and fallback plans. These elements hold greater significance, in his view.
Whilst the procedure was undeniably complex and no information was provided on the initiatory approach to the prior Iceland coach, the national team was always a fascinating project to him. He conveyed to the Jamaican president his intention to resign post-COPA América. He was thrilled about the possibility, always placing it at the top of his wishlist.
The announcement was rushed, with the news becoming common knowledge as the press conference, accompanied by stadium tours, was hastily organised. Meanwhile, newscasters focused on perfecting their pronunciation.
Hallgrímsson had a unique bond with the Iceland’s diehard fans during his tenure, often meeting with them prior to games. He fondly remembered making a strong start in Iceland, rebuilding an old supporter’s club when attendance levels were essentially non-existent. The initial meetings had a handful of attendees and slowly, the fan base proliferated ending with packed pubs full of the team’s supporters.
Only time will reveal the rapport he succeeds in building with Irish fans.
Hallgrímsson’s appointment was far from conventional; it could be said that his origin was even entirely off the pitch. Yet, this does not imply his presence won’t bring about beneficial outcomes. Predicting the course of this journey is unfeasible, but it would be unjust for Irish devotees to be sceptical prior to the aggressive start of the game.
Hallgrímsson remarked, “Here’s hoping we can make some waves.”
Now that he’s here, it’s only fair to grant him an opportunity.
If nothing else, his impressive footwear certainly marks him out.