Heimer Hallgrimsson was introduced to the Irish media today and put in an impressive, open and honest performance.
Interim CEO of the FAI, Dave Courell opened proceedings highlighting that the timing in no way diminished the “utmost seriousness” of the abuse issues raised at the weekend and that the individuals concerned had been spoken to in advance.
He also confirmed it was in no way disrespectful to the Women’s National Team preparing for their games against England and France. Eileen Gleeson had also been contacted and understood that delaying a week would not be desirable with much to do in a short time ahead of the next stage of the football calendar.
There were questions of Marc Canham, Director of Football about the timeline and the process. He explained that the first two months involved a lot of confidential but informal contacts with individuals considered to match the criteria of having experience and success in international football and also a record of lifting the domestic game.
He confirmed that in March the wider group of the appointment committee put Hallgrimsson as their number one choice, and that he was the only one offered a contract.
He recognised that putting a ‘hopeful’ timetable into the ether was a mistake but that the only thing that mattered throughout was getting the right person for the job.
And so to the man himself.
He believes in surrounding himself by good people who understand Ireland and our football culture better than he does.
To that end he has spoken to John O’Shea and seems intent on retaining Irish coaching talent on his back room team.
He also confirmed that his wife and himself would be looking at places to live throughout the contract to better absorb what football means here.
The issue of comments about Mason Greenwood being pursued to play for Jamaica on his watch as being political in context of what had been said by his Jamaica bosses without his involvement.
Smart answer which deserves to be taken at face value.
I get the impression he will be popular with the fans, honest with the media and more likely than not to improve the way that Irish football operates on the global stage.
Starting at the beginning, getting the basics of “being organised, being compact, being a good team unit,” may be more prose than poetry in some eyes but in reality, What more can we ask?
Football generates noise and passion without having to manufacture it. Roll on September 7th.
Sport for Business will host its annual Sponsorship Showcase event in Dublin on Thursday morning, October 10th. This is one of many events planned for the remainder of 2024.
Register your interest to attend a Sport for Business event here.
The FAI and Sky Ireland are among the 300 organisations, which include all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, that are members of the Sport for Business community.
Find out more about joining us today.
Check out our upcoming events to discover ways of connecting in person with our membership.
