Didi Hamann believes the pragmatic approach of newly appointed Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson can deliver success for the Boys in Green.
Eyebrows were raised today when the 57-year-old Icelander was named as Stephen Kenny's successor after leaving his most recent role with Jamaica following a disappointing Copa America.
Despite Kenny leaving the role last November, the recruitment process has turned into something of an eight-month soap opera, with John O’Shea taking charge for two international windows on an interim basis and a whole host of names linked to the role.
Speaking on RTÉ Sport ahead of coverage of the Euro 2024 semi-final between the Netherlands and England, Richie Sadlier said it was about time to draw the saga to a conclusion.
"My overriding feeling was one of relief," he said. "It’s over. It’s been painful watching it, trying to make sense of it. It’s a stain on the CV of everyone involved, it’s been a mess."
Ireland have 'underperformed' in recent years, opines new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson. pic.twitter.com/rXFUVDxegH
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 10, 2024
Fellow analyst and former Irish international Kevin Doyle said Hallgrimsson’s work with Iceland, mainly in his stint as assistant and joint-manager rather than his two years in sole charge following the memorable Euro 2016 campaign, meant his international CV stacked up well against the other names touted for the job.
"He does have decent international pedigree," he said.
"He was five years there with them and got them to 18th in the world rankings. If he could even get half ways there with us, he’d be doing a very good job."
Former Germany international Hamann agreed that the body of work from his time with Iceland bodes well for Irish supporters looking to the future.
Heimir Hallgrimsson was a surprise appointment to the Republic of Ireland manager's job earlier today. The RTÉ panel have their say on the news ahead of #NEDENG at #Euro2024. pic.twitter.com/SIJKCYLaYb
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 10, 2024
"It’s not a name we are familiar with, but when I look at that Iceland team and what they did in 2016, what do you associate them with?
"Organisation, discipline…you have got to play to your strengths. Maybe people expected or wanted a more flash name, but at the end of the day, he’s here now and we have got to give him a chance."
Hallgrimsson was appointed Jamaica manager in September 2022, but a winless Copa America campaign in the last fortnight saw him leave that role.
Hamann says he is impressed by the little he has heard from the Icelander since news of his appointment was confirmed today and says there is an ambition there that could serve Ireland well.
"With the World Cup being in America and Mexico, and the hosts qualified automatically, it gives them a very good chance to qualify for the World Cup," he said. "He has given that up to come here.
"I’ve said it time and time again, you’d be surprised when you tell people the Irish job is up for grabs, you’d be surprised how many people would apply for it.
"Beggars can't be choosers," Kevin Doyle says of Heimir Hallgrimsson appointment to the Ireland job, but Didi Hamann regards the post as one still coveted and is confident the former Iceland and Jamaica manager can deliver success. pic.twitter.com/TVUTsodwnp
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 10, 2024
"Ireland hasn’t been great the last two or three years, but it’s still a great football nation and people want to come here.
"He’s possibly given up the World Cup because he feels he can go to the World Cup with Ireland."
In light of what some of the so-called smaller nations have shown at the Euros, Hamann insists that Ireland have every right to dream, that under the right man they can achieve results on the big stage.
"The teams that excited us, Switzerland, Austria, Albania, Slovakia and Slovenia, they are no bigger nations than Ireland," he said. "They work hard, stick together and earn the right to play football.
"He said he wants to go back to basics. The approach of Kenny is scrapped, and rightly so. What I heard filled me with confidence. I think he will be successful."
