The Football Association of Ireland has officially announced the appointment of Heimir Hallgrímsson as the new head coach of the Republic of Ireland national team. This decision comes after an eight-month search for a permanent successor to Stephen Kenny, whose contract was not renewed following the team's failure to qualify for Euro 2024.
Hallgrímsson, a seasoned manager with experience at the international level, previously served as the joint head coach of Iceland, where he achieved remarkable success, including a historic victory over England in the round of 16 at Euro 2016. He later took sole charge of the Icelandic national team from 2016 to 2018, guiding them to qualification for the World Cup in Russia and achieving a notable FIFA ranking of 18th.
Following his tenure with Iceland, Hallgrímsson went on to manage Jamaica from 2022 to 2024, where he made significant strides with the team, helping them qualify for the 2024 Copa América and elevating their FIFA ranking from 64th to 53rd.
In his statement upon his appointment, Hallgrímsson expressed his honor at taking on the role of Head Coach for the Ireland Senior Men's National Team. He acknowledged Ireland's rich footballing history and the talent of its players, emphasizing the team's potential for success.
Looking ahead, Hallgrímsson highlighted the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches and the crucial FIFA World Cup qualification campaign on the horizon. He expressed his eagerness to work closely with the players to enhance their performances and results, with the ultimate goal of securing regular participation in major international tournaments.
With a focus on nurturing the young and promising squad, Hallgrímsson aims to lead Ireland to further achievements on the global stage, building on the nation's footballing legacy and aiming for sustained success in the years to come.
