Heimir Hallgrimsson Archives - SportsNewsIreland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/tag/heimir-hallgrimsson Sports News, Live GAA scores, GAA fixtures Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:46:12 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/www.sportsnewsireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sni-icon.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Heimir Hallgrimsson Archives - SportsNewsIreland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/tag/heimir-hallgrimsson 32 32 229439223 The FAI and the Republic of Ireland: A Story of Chaos and Decline https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer/the-fai-and-the-republic-of-ireland-a-story-of-chaos-and-decline https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer/the-fai-and-the-republic-of-ireland-a-story-of-chaos-and-decline#respond Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:46:12 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=34430 The FAI and the Republic of Ireland: A Story of Chaos and Decline The last two years have been nothing short of a shambles for Irish football. From boardroom resignations to disastrous performances on the pitch, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has presided over one crisis after another. The result? A game in freefall, […]

The post The FAI and the Republic of Ireland: A Story of Chaos and Decline appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

]]>

The FAI and the Republic of Ireland: A Story of Chaos and Decline

The last two years have been nothing short of a shambles for Irish football. From boardroom resignations to disastrous performances on the pitch, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has presided over one crisis after another. The result? A game in freefall, a fanbase alienated, and players struggling to find form under the national jersey.

Managerial Instability

  • Stephen Kenny was sacked in November 2023.
  • John O’Shea filled in with four friendlies as caretaker, essentially auditioning for the role.
  • It took seven months for the FAI to appoint Heimir Hallgrímsson as their “first-choice” manager, on a reported €650,000 salary.

Boardroom Chaos

  • CEO Jonathan Hill resigned in April 2024.
  • Marc Canham, the FAI’s Director of Football, stepped down in April 2025.
  • The FAI launched a voluntary redundancy programme in August 2025, with compulsory job losses looming as part of restructuring.
  • Debt stands at a staggering €43 million.

Controversies and Legal Battles

  • RTÉ aired a documentary in July 2024 exposing the mistreatment of female players by coaches.
  • Colin Healy claimed he was dismissed despite reassurances he’d stay with the WNT staff (December 2024).
  • Eileen Gleeson has launched legal action against the FAI for gender discrimination (August 2025).

On the Pitch: A Shattered Identity

  • The team survived in Nations League B only by beating Bulgaria home and away.
  • They were humiliated by Armenia and went 2–0 down inside 15 minutes at home to Hungary with Matt Doherty bizarrely played at left-back.
  • No clear structure, no defensive solidity, and a reliance on ineffective long throw-ins.
  • Irish players consistently perform better for their clubs than for the national side.
  • Heimir’s team has conceded first in nine of his ten competitive games.

Domestic Neglect

  • League of Ireland champions still only receive €125,000.
  • FAI Cup winners earn €32,000 plus gate receipts.
  • Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne’s success in Europe this season has come in spite of their governing body, not because of it.
  • Will Clarke’s August 2025 Academy Report revealed glaring issues with facilities and infrastructure nationwide.
  • The proposed “summer soccer” plan was defeated in August 2025, leaving no clear strategy for development.
  • Damien Duff, the headline act of the domestic league and one of the most respected young managers, has departed Shelbourne—an enormous blow for the LOI’s profile.

Fans Left in the Cold

  • Supporters can only buy tickets in restrictive three-match bundles until shortly before games.
  • Meanwhile, performances on the pitch offer little incentive to attend.

Conclusion

The FAI has failed Irish football. Between staggering debts, broken governance, failed structures, and embarrassing performances on the pitch, it is clear that the Republic of Ireland’s game is suffering at every level. With Damien Duff’s departure from Shelbourne further weakening the League of Ireland’s appeal, Irish football risks losing not only its next generation of talent but also its connection with the fans who care most. Until the association faces real reform—root and branch—the chaos will continue.

The post The FAI and the Republic of Ireland: A Story of Chaos and Decline appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

]]> https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer/the-fai-and-the-republic-of-ireland-a-story-of-chaos-and-decline/feed 0 34430 Heimir Hallgrimsson: Ireland Need a Miracle After Armenia Defeat https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer/heimir-hallgrimsson-ireland-need-a-miracle-after-armenia-defeat https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer/heimir-hallgrimsson-ireland-need-a-miracle-after-armenia-defeat#respond Wed, 10 Sep 2025 06:17:42 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=34409 Heimir Hallgrimsson Admits Ireland Need a Miracle After Armenia Defeat Heimir Hallgrimsson has admitted that his role as Ireland manager will now come under serious scrutiny after a crushing defeat in Yerevan. Ireland’s hopes of staying alive in the World Cup qualifying campaign hang by a thread following a 2-1 loss to Armenia, a team […]

The post Heimir Hallgrimsson: Ireland Need a Miracle After Armenia Defeat appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

]]>

Heimir Hallgrimsson Admits Ireland Need a Miracle After Armenia Defeat

Heimir Hallgrimsson has admitted that his role as Ireland manager will now come under serious scrutiny after a crushing defeat in Yerevan.
Ireland’s hopes of staying alive in the World Cup qualifying campaign hang by a thread following a 2-1 loss to Armenia, a team ranked 105th in the world.The Icelandic coach, visibly frustrated, described himself as “lost for words” and acknowledged that his future will be questioned in the aftermath of the result. His contract runs until the end of Ireland’s World Cup journey, but with only one point collected from this crucial window, Hallgrimsson accepted that qualification now requires nothing short of a miracle.

Manager Under Pressure

At the start of the campaign, Hallgrimsson had stressed that full points against Armenia were essential. Instead, Ireland fell short, leaving their manager to confront uncomfortable questions about his own position.

“I’m not concerned about me. When you have a performance like this, the coach’s job is under question, that’s just the name of the game. The campaign? We probably need a miracle to qualify from now.”

Hallgrimsson insisted that he constantly reviews his position, win or lose, but admitted this performance was particularly difficult to justify. “You always want to do better and restart. That’s the only thing we can do as coaches,” he said.

‘Lost for Words’ After Tactical Collapse

Reflecting on the loss, Hallgrimsson described it as Ireland’s worst performance since his appointment. He highlighted failings in both defence and attack, criticising his side’s openness, indecision, and inability to win individual battles.

“It was so unlike us in so many ways. Too many players had an off day and against a motivated side like Armenia, they deservedly won. We were absolutely second best.”

He also dismissed the idea of offering excuses. While travel and recovery might have played a part, Hallgrimsson made it clear that Ireland must look inward and take responsibility. “There are probably a lot of reasons, but not excuses,” he insisted.

Credit to Armenia

The manager praised Armenia’s approach, noting their spirit and sharpness following a 5-0 defeat to Portugal just days earlier. He contrasted that with Ireland’s lack of fight, despite having drawn 2-2 with Hungary in Dublin before travelling.

“We thought our preparation was good and we wanted to play the same way as before. But give credit to Armenia. They fought hard, they were sharp, and individually they outperformed us.”

 

The post Heimir Hallgrimsson: Ireland Need a Miracle After Armenia Defeat appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

]]> https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer/heimir-hallgrimsson-ireland-need-a-miracle-after-armenia-defeat/feed 0 34409