Heimir Hallgrimsson wasting no time in immersing himself in Irish football culture

After Wednesday’s unveiling, Thursday’s trip to Tolka and Friday’s jaunt to Dalymount, the 57-year-old’s first full week as Ireland boss begins with a coaching session with local kids, before hopping in his car for a trip down the M9 to meet John O’Shea for a chat about the number two role.

After that, it’s straight to Páirc Uí Chaoimh as the women’s side host France this evening. The Iceland native is certainly wasting no time in immersing himself in Irish football.

The new boss has spent less than a week in Ireland, but he admits that already, he is aware he holds what many consider the most important job in Irish sport.

“I’m slowly getting it [that sense], of how big it is here. The interest since I have arrived has been amazing. It seems everyone is reading the papers, the news and knows the face. Everybody is wishing me good luck and I really appreciate it. I didn’t think it was this big, but I’m getting my head around it,” said Hallgrimsson.

“I knew a little bit about football here because normally Iceland teams have to play at least one Irish team in the European competitions,” he added, with Shamrock Rovers also hosting Vikingur Reykjavik in Champions League qualifying tonight. “It’s different to Iceland and Jamaica. It’s competitive and I love the atmosphere, there’s passion in the stands. There’s an especially good football culture here.”

After travelling down to Waterford yesterday to hold talks with O’Shea over potentially becoming his assistant, Hallgrimsson pointed to his own path with Iceland, having served as assistant before becoming co-manager in 2014, then sole manager two years later.

“I’m going to start with him [O’Shea]. Obviously, the most important guy for me is the assistant. I’m going to start with him and take it from there,” he said.

“If he wants to meet, then probably he’s considering it. I think it’s more positive than negative. To have a guy who has been doing the things with us is probably always the best one to take over if you want continuity, growth and development.”

Having used the ‘Granny rule’ during his 22-month spell with the Jamaican nation side, Hallgrimmson was open to doing the same with the Boys in Green.

“I haven’t dug deep but I have friends who say, ‘This guy, this guy, this guy’. We had some lines with information from companies. Probably, we can tap into that but that’s not the priority for me. It’s to get ready as quickly as possible for September.”

That Nations League opener against England is just over seven weeks away as Hallgrimsson looked ahead to the Lansdowne Road clash against the Euro 2024 runners-up. “Even though I wanted England to win, I thought Spain deserved to win the tournament,” said Hallgrimsson. “They played the best football and were really consistent. They have had a run of games with a winning streak that is just unbelievable.”

But with Gareth Southgate to now consider his future as Three Lions boss following their heartbreak in Berlin, will it be a good time to play England should they arrive in Dublin with a new manager?

“I’ll answer that after the game!” smiled Hallgrimsson. “Yes and no. Sometimes it’s best to play these teams – the good teams that go to the final – even winning, in the first game after the tournament because it’s difficult to restart.”

One man set to play a key role in that Lansdowne Road clash is Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, as the new Irish boss hailed the 19-year-old’s talents despite an injury-interrupted campaign last term.

“He’s one of those guys who has the quality to win games. If you have a close game, he is the individual you look at to spark and create something,” he added. Like you saw [others do] in the tournament [Euro 2024], he can score a great goal from outside of the box even though the team doesn’t deserve to do it in a way.”

With the upcoming Nations League campaign kicking off in September before qualification for the 2026 World Cup begins in March, Hallgrimsson’s focus is clear.

“I think it should always be about leaving your shirt in a better place, however you do it,” he says.

“If we stay for one year, two years or 10 years, leave your shirt in a better place and leave the federation with more knowledge and the coaches with more knowledge. It’s all about give and take, but in the end the shirt should be in a better place.”

Only time will tell.