Well the search is finally over.
Printable View
Heimir Hallgrimsson. it's official! ??
Out of nowhere that one right? Was his name ever mentioned?
Its not really 'Out of Nowhere' He was mentoined as a potential manager by 'Green Machine' a couple of weeks back, July 1st to be exact. (see Green Machine FB)
Happy with this appointment.
Happy with that. Didn't think he'd be in the running with Jamaica almost being certainties for WC26.
Whatever about Willy Sagnol, it can't be denied that HH has fascist links.
I thought it was Tom Markham initially (Irish bloke on Wigan's board until recently, football finance expert)
On 10th July 2024, 231 days after Stephen Kenny was sacked and after interviewing over 400 people and 3 cats for the role, the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) announced Hallgrímsson as the new coach of the Irish Men's National Team.
Loving his current wiki entry ! LOL
Ah wiki...
Quote:
Republic of Ireland
On 10th July 2024, 231 days after Stephen Kenny was sacked and after interviewing over 400 people and 3 cats for the role, the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) announced Hallgrímsson as the new coach of the Irish Men's National Team.
Fai ceo Mark Canham hired Heimer after he gave him a tidy discount on a set of veneers ; source Tomos tabloid
Thought it was a joke headline. Not sure what to think: obviously his record with Iceland was impressive, albeit he wasn't solely in charge in 2016. Jamaica, seems like he coached them to a few good results, but his tenure ended pretty badly.
I'm sure he's perfectly capable, but he's given up a relatively easy job of being a relatively big fish in a small pond, with a place in the 2026 World Cup harder to miss out on than gain, for a job where you feel he'll be raked over the coals very quickly. And he's starting with England!
It's a solid appointment, an experienced international manager who has form with bringing unfancied smaller teams to major tournaments. Best of luck to him.
Better get these out of the way today....
"Well, that was like pulling teeth."
It's a private group. wanna enlighten us what was said and why you're happy with it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Deckydee
absolutely flabbergasted. chap was basically Lars Lagerback's assistant during Iceland's success in Euro 2016.
International record:
Copa America with Jamaica, 3 games, 0 points losing to Venezuela, Ecuador and Mexico
World Cup with Icekand, 3 games, 1 point
There's more nuance (their point was against Argentina, they did qualify as second seed. s to the world cup etc etc.) - but essentially Iceland played a form of Tony Pulis / Sam Allerdichi football, Delap style throws to a big frontman and the odd worldie from Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Worth noting, Sigurdsson was better than any player we currently have. As for Jamaica, Leon Bailey is also better than our best player (they also have Michail Antonio, Demarai Gray and Bobby Decordova Reid, not to mention the mighty Ethon Pinnock!)
This is an excellent appointment on paper.
Hopefully he's as successful with us as he was with Iceland.
[QUOTE=texidub;2192850]Better get these out of the way today....
"Well, that was like pulling teeth."[/QUOTE
We all hope his tenure will be crowned with success.
Really want to be wrong but I suspect it's another terrible appointment by the FAIQuote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
We kind of all knew it'd end like this, didn't we?Quote:
Originally Posted by joey B
Trust the process!
Now - where's geysir...?
Straight to Rubbish. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Venting...somewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Evan is still potential yes, but that potential is 100+ million euro player and potential a similar level to Kvaratskhelia. Is there right now, definitely not but he is still a top player and well above the likes of Walters, Long and tbh ahead of even Robbie Keane (Keane is possibly a better goal scorer but as an overall player Ferguson is better) and yet all 3 of those looked better for Ireland than Ferguson which says a lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Acornvilla
Yes player value has exploded...between the early 2000s and now, the difference between now and 2017 would still have some merit. We like to say it has no relevance but that's just because it doesnt suit the narrative that maybe the likes of O'Shea and Kenny just arent getting the best out of our players. Collins is a player like Ferguson where you cant really compare to previous players as it's a massive handicap due to the fact they've had to endure appalling management which has probably made them look worse players than they actually are compared to donkey's like Duffy and Keogh who looked like competent international footballers by comparison. Collins is the most expensive Irish player ever because he's a top player which is why 2 separate PL clubs were willing to pay over 20m for him by the age of 20 (one of which, Brentford, broke their own transfer record in signing him). The Georgian back three is barely even mid table championship standard and yet you can be certain they'll defend better than the likes of Collins and O'Brien would defend which in itself says a lot.
There is a lot of potential yes and yes we are still waiting on some of them to achieve that potential but even still where they currently are they should still be doing a HELL of a lot better than they are doing. We have a player who was a PL captain last season, a likely PL starter in midfield next season and a few young championship players with potential to be PL standard in future in our midfield. Is it ideal? No but it's still more than enough for a competent manager to make the most of. And no Irish fans don't have high expectations, their expectations are to make us at the very least competitive which, considering squad value wise our squad would be a pot 2 side in UEFA qualifying, I dont think is asking for too much considering we are playing like San Marino or Andorra at the minute...
The question is now are we going to actually have expectations of the manager to actually do his job and hold him accountable when he fails? Or are we just going to make excuses such as fixate of one or two area's ( such as midfield when our defence, somewhere we should actually be good at, is a complete disaster or the fact we have a 50m CF and cant score goals)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/531...-hallgrimsson/
Should probably get this out of the way since it'll surface sooner or later anyway.
Worth noting that 1 player doesnt make a team, its 11 and that Bailey and Sigurdsson cant defend and their job isn't to score goals which is an issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
Good to see that he hasn't even got in the door yet and we are already making excuses to accept mediocrity before a ball is even kicked.
Club record - knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Pat's in 2011 :pQuote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
Also got to the quarters of Euro 2016 - I know he was joint manager at the time and I don't know how that really broke down. But it's worth a mention for a side like Iceland.
I feel it's about as good as we could expect. Someone with experience and with flaws. I'm certainly open to giving it a good chance.
We in Iceland took pity upon your tortured process, your trials and tribulations and sent our only begotten senior manager to show you the way.
Not particularly outraged or depressed by that appointment, which is about as positive as I could have expected.
He's done more than Carsley and O'Shea in the game at senior level. About the same as Sagnol, if not more. Better international record, and younger than Hughton. Not Lennon or either of the Keanes, so no media circus. He qualified Iceland out of a group containing Croatia, Turkey and Ukraine for the 2018 WC, which is a fine achievement. Jamaica performed around what you'd expect - they had a decent competitive record against teams at their level in CONCACAF - getting results against USA and Mexico, beating the likes of Canada, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, etc. The Copa America is generally a huge step up for the CONCACAF teams, so I wouldn't read too much into the last month.
And for what it's worth, his Iceland team outclassed us in a friendly under MON in 2017.
With the pay on offer, and the fact that it's a very difficult job to turn this team around, I don't see how we could have attracted a bigger name or a more proven coach. It was either a washed-up 'proper football man' or a total left-field appointment, so here we are. We'll see how he goes in September.
What’s your honest opinion on him Geysir?Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Re Stu: My understanding was the Lagerbeck was still calling the shots in 2016 - but I’m sure Geysir can provide far more insight
Probably even more woerth noting that Bailey did a Keano and ****ed off from the Copa America without a ball being kicked. It hardly seems fair to judge him on the ability of a player who wasn't even there.Quote:
Originally Posted by CSAD
He won what was probably the toughest group in Europe to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 with an Iceland squad that was solid at best.
Iceland, Croatia, Ukraine Turkey, Finland, Kosovo.
Didn't do much in the finals but after getting a group with Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria the single point they picked up was probably par for the course.
Win percentage of 43.75% as a joint manager and 44.00% on his own with Iceland.
He is a hell of a lot more qualified for the job than some previous incumbants, or indeed some of the other names that have been mentioned.
Best of luck Eminence Grise!Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Says Stuttgart 88!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Really happy with this appointment.
He has proven international quality which is what I wanted and until a few hours ago could only dream of.
He may have had one or two very good players with Iceland, but I feel that our current team is better than what he had in most positions. That is what excites me - a manager who can make the most of players and especially the very good ones and negate the deficiencies by a game plan and tactics.
It's a real shame that he hasn't got the last few games and his first game is England, but if he can get us 2nd in the group and a decent points total, we have a chance of a playoff.
Oi! The mighty Ethan Pinnock was the standout player in Brentford's defence last season, which is why he won the Supporters' POTY award. Super player, who I'd rate at least as good as any of those you mention, not least for his consistency.Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
Beyond that, I don't know a thing about Jamaica, or their (former) Manager, so it will be interesting to see how the new guy does.
This is definitely not a good look.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murfinator
Otherwise, I think he's a fine appointment especially vs other options, lets hope it works out.
I've been found out after all these years!Quote:
Originally Posted by punkrocket
That is true plus the fact we seem to always just pick 1 player a team has and claim that's the reason why we'll still be crap even with him in charge.Quote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
Honestly up until the Euros if you offered me him or Sagnol I actually may have taken him because it is worth noting with Sagnol that while Georgia did great at the Euros they actually havent been that great in qualifiers or friendlies which makes me question is this a one off and is Sagnol as really the man we wanted.
Honestly considering the fear of who we could get, like O'Shea for instance, I think its a great appointment. A manager not too old plus with international experience so shouldn't be too overawed by the experience.
I'm also delight for the likes of McClean who desperately wanted O'Shea just so they could weasel their way back into the set up get what they deserve, absolute disgrace to Ireland just like the rest of the former internationals backing him who only care about their own interests and not Irish football.
A dentist becomes Ireland manager you can't make that up!!
I have his jersey somewhere from his Hottur days. Got find it.
[QUOTE=Demesne Lad;2192853]Will he stop the decay in the team, or will he only end up filling a gap until someone else is appointed ?Quote:
Originally Posted by texidub
That wasn't really a sarcastic quote. I really like Pinnock... Thought the injury he got really hurt Brentford and think he's an underrated footballerQuote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
McClean definitely fits the playing style. Wouldn't be too shocked to see HH offer him a way back in...Quote:
Originally Posted by CSAD
I have no problem in players still thinking they can play at a higher level than they can - that's on a manager to not pick them. I do have a problem with how he spoke about Kenny. I didn't rate Kenny at all, but he was very decent to McClean and for him to turn on him, shows his personality.Quote:
Originally Posted by CSAD
Happy with the appointment overall. I like that its an "outside the box" appointment and not just some guy whos been on the english football merri-go-round for 20 years. The job he did with Iceland was excellent, whether he or Lagerback get more credit I dont know but the 2018 WC qualification would suggest that he wasnt without credit. Elatedscum saying that he plays extremely direct football would concern me, but I do have memories of those Iceland teams being excellent to watch so I guess we'll wait and see.
Theres no doubt he took the money to go work in Qatar after the Iceland success and I think thats fair enough. He cashed in on his success and I wouldnt really care what his record was in that league.
His record with Jamacia is fairly mixed I would say, very poor Copa recently but good in their Nations League where they beat Canada before being knocked out by the US. I do remember reading about some issues within the Jamacia federation and the players before the Cope so maybe there was some mitigating circumstances there.
There was no perfect appointment. Obviously Carsley was my favorite but even he was a risk. My more recent favorite would have been Robbie and he brings his own PR issues. This is a clean slate for a guy, no one has any preconceived notions of what to expect from him. His backroom team will be interesting, I hope we move on from JOS. Id love to see Brian Barry Murphy come in with him, but that might be a pipedream.
At least the saga is over and hes not a known racist.... those are 2 postives to get started with anyways!
Interesting appointment. It's dragged on so long that I'd nearly have taken any vaguely plausible candidate at this stage and there are one or two valid quibbles raised above, but he's in place now so he gets my support unconditionally for a bit. Let's see what he can do.