The FAI’s much-criticised 231-day search for Stephen Kenny’s successor finally came to an end last Wednesday as 57-year-old Hallgrimsson was appointed on a contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Shelbourne manager Damien Duff. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile Damien Duff feels new Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson is a “brilliant” appointment and says he can’t wait to see how the “fascinating” Iceland native fares in the hot seat.
The FAI’s much-criticised 231-day search for Stephen Kenny’s successor finally came to an end last Wednesday as 57-year-old Hallgrimsson was appointed on a contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Hallgrimsson was unveiled to the media at Lansdowne Road on Thursday, alongside FAI director of football Marc Canham and interim CEO David Courell, and just a few hours later the three made their way to Tolka Park to take in Shelbourne’s Conference League first round win over St Joseph’s, as the new national boss posed for photos with several supporters in the stand. And speaking after his side marked their first European appearance in 18 years with a 2-1 victory, Reds boss Duff was asked if he got a chance to see Ireland’s new manager at the Drumcondra ground.
“No, I would have loved to. I think he’s fascinating. I didn’t get a lot of time I guess to study him on Thursday, but I think he’s a brilliant appointment.
Why? You just have to look at 2016 (Euros) and 2018 (World Cup),.