Heimir Hallgrímsson

[Acornvilla]

That looks more like flared ribs than a big belly tbh, the bump would be lower if he was carrying too much weight, his stomach is much leaner as you go down, which is the opposite of what you'd expect if that was the case. Still potentially a posture/core strength issue thou

[ifk101]

But the dynamic between the pair of coaches on Thursday was revealing. It is early days yet but it seems clear that O'Shea will be working almost alongside Hallgrimsson rather than assisting him.

"Not that it’s anything different, assistant coach or assistant head coach, whatever you want to call it," said O'Shea, "Obviously, when I got the chance to take the team, I brought Paddy in so it’s great that we can carry that on.

"But, also now, we’re here to support the manager and help him accelerate learning about all the players as quick as he can and, hopefully, leading that into positive results for the team."

The phrasing of O'Shea's role being described as "assistant head coach" rather than merely "assistant coach" is a small detail but, with all things considered from Thursday's press conference, it may be a significant one.

https://www.balls.ie/football/hallgr...n-oshea-609145

Who’s the manager?

Agree with the above commentary. Something is off. Noticed the press meeting ended yesterday with O’Shea giving HH a pat on the back and a good boy comment. Does somebody in a supposed subordinate position do that to their boss?

HH has undermined his authority from the off here. He has given away too much responsibility and trust to somebody he doesn’t know and somebody who wants his job. It’s going to be confusing for the players as well – if O’Shea is taking the lead for England/ Greece, a continuation of what he has done so far this year, will they know when his role is more diminished - and more importantly, accept that? Is there an on-off switch?

And HH should be more up to speed on the players if he’s the manager. He has attended one game in the UK so far, and sounded like he only knows of the players O’Shea called up to the friendly games this year – as they are the games he has watched.

[irishfan86]

Saw a boss do this at a previous job. Very hands off first few months, let No. 2 call shots, seemed to be likeable, easy going, etc…watched, waited, saw what he liked, what he didn’t. Canned No. 2 and brought in bunch of changes after that.

I’d say if we are playing well and it’s all good, HH will just chill out and let O’Shea be heavily involved. If it’s not working out, wouldn’t be surprised to see HH put the foot down and/or get rid of O’Shea.

[Stuttgart88]

Ah I'm with IFK here. The optics right now are that HH is a bit weak, taking the job and doing the FAI a favour by being nice to the guy he beat to the job and driving to Waterford to tickle his tummy, and the press conference comments don't help. I'm not too concerned yet simply because I can't believe anyone with leadership qualities and a sense of purpose would actually allow his position to be undermined on day 1. But there are lots of hard to believe things about the FAI that are actually true.

Let's see. It's early days and there's nothing fatal yet. Big Jack had to ask Mick Byrne who our best CBs were when he was short in that position before his second game in charge, home to Uruguay. Byrne recommended Barry Murphy and Peter Eccles (in the wrong order!).

[Stuttgart88]

Saw a boss do this at a previous job. Very hands off first few months, let No. 2 call shots, seemed to be likeable, easy going, etc…watched, waited, saw what he liked, what he didn’t. Canned No. 2 and brought in bunch of changes after that.

I’d say if we are playing well and it’s all good, HH will just chill out and let O’Shea be heavily involved. If it’s not working out, wouldn’t be surprised to see HH put the foot down and/or get rid of O’Shea.

A partial comparison might be Ange Postecoglou coming to Celtic and continuing with backroom staff like John Kennedy who had taken a big credibility hit under Lennon. Of course Ange was a force of nature and stamped his authority and ethos right from the start, though Celtic still couldn't defend corners early on.

[pineapple stu]

Not planning on attending any games this weekend, per the Indo today. Going to follow the players on a scouting app.

I guess in the modern world I can understand how that's probably fine - at a game you only get to see one or two players, but this way you can keep abreast of everyone, and probably get video footage of any games afterwards if required. Yet is it helpful in terms of feeding into his hands-off optic? Should he care if what he does works for him? Is it working if that's how he's been following players up to now, and then left squad in the opening window to O'Shea because he didn't really know people?

Interesting comment too that "Hallgrimsson is reportedly still smarting from the negative reaction from the crowd to two home defeats in his first window with Ireland". I know there was some grumbling during the England game (when another 60 yard long ball turned out to not be within 30 yards of a green shirt). I missed the Greece game but I think the MotM award was booed and a lot of people upped and left after the second goal. But hardly the most negative reaction there's ever been? The reaction during the 1-1 draw against Cyprus (Staunton's last match in charge) was much worse for example.

[Stuttgart88]

Feels a bit like the media briefing against him already?

[dr_peepee]

Possibly. But it doesn’t mean there’s no merit in the concern.I’d expect the scouting apps as a given regardless, but the human condition is as big a factor at international level. Show up. Observe the game and their contribution. Appraise and Connect with the player(s) in some form….. Doesn’t sit right with me to be honest. Worst case feels like he’s phoning it in, best case he’s too data driven in a squad that already has an engagement issue.

[texidub]

Im holding off on judging HH for now. Another window at least. In related matters, I don't think Canham gives much of a hoot as long he gets paid and if HH is Canham's 'type' then maybe we are right to be a bit worried about the new manager's commitment.

[Eirambler]

Always thought this thing of Ireland managers trundling around the UK getting wined and dined under the auspices of "scouting" was a bit of a nonsense to be honest. As long as he's tracking the players and watching the games in some way then I don't see the problem.

The problem Hallgrimsson has is who is going to bat for him in the Irish media? Kenny could always rely on a certain few journos and domestic league supporters to come to his aid, McCarthy and O'Neill had the UK based/focused crowd on side. Trap got away with a lot just by being Trap. Hallgrimsson has no background either in Ireland or in Britain, so there's nobody to fight his corner and say what needs to be said - which is that he needs to be left to get on with it for a while now and see what he can do with the squad.

[jbyrne]

Im holding off on judging HH for now. Another window at least. In related matters, I don't think Canham gives much of a hoot as long he gets paid and if HH is Canham's 'type' then maybe we are right to be a bit worried about the new manager's commitment.

hasn't HH moved here? If so, that's a far bigger commitment than a number of our previous managers for a start.

[texidub]

Sure, but he doesn't have the gravitas or proven track record of a Trappatoni - who was widely lambasted for not going to games to see players. What makes HH immune from the same criticism?

[Stuttgart88]

Possibly. But it doesn’t mean there’s no merit in the concern.I’d expect the scouting apps as a given regardless, but the human condition is as big a factor at international level. Show up. Observe the game and their contribution. Appraise and Connect with the player(s) in some form….. Doesn’t sit right with me to be honest. Worst case feels like he’s phoning it in, best case he’s too data driven in a squad that already has an engagement issue.

Maybe he relies on foot.ie

[passinginterest]

Sure, but he doesn't have the gravitas or proven track record of a Trappatoni - who was widely lambasted for not going to games to see players. What makes HH immune from the same criticism?

I think what you can do with Wyscout is miles beyond what was available to Trap. He's met the core bunch and seen them up close, monitoring them for a few weeks on Wyscout is no bad thing. He's also aware now of the big issues in the squad, so he can use it to take a look at players not involved in this window. If he sees something he likes, then hopefully he'll travel to see them and make the personal connection at that stage.

[dr_peepee]

Maybe he relies on foot.ie

Don’t we all!!!!

[texidub]

I hope so. I want the entire team to do well. Don't think there's a replacement for 1-1 talks though and I don't see why he can't do both in the same weekend, catching up on highlights and wyscout after he's attended a game in person. If he's still not going to games in a couple of weeks, I'd wonder about the man management... especially if results are not good in the next window.

[seanfhear]

Maybe he relies on foot.ie

Hard to blame him really ~ ~ I can see HH being a great success.

[Stuttgart88]

I think what you can do with Wyscout is miles beyond what was available to Trap. He's met the core bunch and seen them up close, monitoring them for a few weeks on Wyscout is no bad thing. He's also aware now of the big issues in the squad, so he can use it to take a look at players not involved in this window. If he sees something he likes, then hopefully he'll travel to see them and make the personal connection at that stage.

I don't know Wyscout but hopefully it'll point him towards Cerkin, Azaz, Connell etc.

Anyway, it's far too early to judge HH. I just I think the narrative management hasn't been good. Isn't Cathal Dervin supposed to be on top of these things?

[WexCar.]

Maybe the FAI are trying to save money and cutting back and thus won't cover the expenses for trips to watch games.

[Eminence Grise]

I just I think the narrative management hasn't been good. Isn't Cathal Dervin supposed to be on top of these things?

I think I've just spotted the weakness in the masterplan. Tabloid journalist, never worked for a quality broadsheet and zero prior experience in PR or strategic communications. Sure, he knows football, but before this gig he's never had to create and budget for a 12-month proactive issues-led PR campaign, assess comms vulnerabilities and take actions to correct them (media training for managers, maybe?), and have responsive crisis management plans.