'I’m proud of being a dentist' - Heimir Hallgrímsson in his own words
10 July 2024; Heimir Hallgrímsson, left, with FAI director of football Marc Canham as he is announced as the new Republic of Ireland Manager in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Heimir Hallgrímsson is a shock appointment as Ireland boss, ending the 231-day wait since the FAI dispensed with Stephen Kenny last November.
The 57-year-old is renowned as a colourful character, possessing the rare qualification in the coaching field of dentistry, and is never shy about conveying his opinion.
Here’s a sample of his best quotes over the past 13 years
"St. Patrick's has a strong team and if the players are allowed to play their game, they are a tough match. They want to pass a lot of long balls up the field and have a lot of passes. After all, they are strong in the air and we often had problems with them when they got corners and free kicks.
"If we start playing that game - making long passes - we're going to be in trouble. But as soon as we put the ball down on the ground and started to pass it between people, you could see that we have a better football team."
"Judging from this game, I think we should be able to progress. But it may well be that they had a bad day and come into the game stronger at home. A 1-0 lead is not big, but it's still positive that we kept a clean sheet."
Second leg score: St Patrick’s Athletic 2 IBV 0.
“My friend was doing dentistry and I thought I would just sign up with him and change later. And I never did.
“For a coach it sounds strange, I know. When I was doing my pro license in England, they said, ‘Don’t tell anyone you’re a dentist!’ But I never think that education can do you any harm. I’m proud of being a dentist.
“You know the world of football coaches, where you wake up tomorrow and don’t have a job? Doesn’t apply to me.”
“I’m not afraid of facing England. Iceland knows everything about English football, we are English football crazy. I don’t think we need analyse them much but I don’t think they know too much about Iceland players."
“There has definitely been a hangover from the Euros.
“Due to the team getting so far in France, our players didn’t get their usual holidays and went straight into pre-season.
“I always remind them that the Euros was not the destination, instead it was part of the continual journey towards success.”
“Coming from Iceland, the heat doesn't go hand in hand. Luckily, I’ve always had a strange personal thermostat, so I’ve been good with that! Probably the easiest job in the world would be to be a weatherman in Jamaica, because it is always the same, always amazing.
“I spend most of my time in Jamaica. Ever since I got the job, I thought it was very important to learn about the people and the culture. The people are welcoming, laid back, so it's easy to get to know them. Back home and in Europe, things can be stressful and chaotic. Here, nothing is a problem for them. There are also beautiful beaches and beautiful nature. It’s a great place to be.”
“I’m not an expert in this - I just look at the person. I think what he has gone through in the year and a half since it happened is worse than I can imagine, being in the press and on social media. I can only imagine what he has been going through. The case went through stages and the case was dropped, so it’s not up to me or anyone else to judge him on that.
“It was no less a person than Jesus Christ who said, those who are without sin should throw the first stone. Whatever happened, everybody at least deserves a second chance. And he knows that all eyes are on him.
“So it’s a big pressure and I am happy for the player that he is coming back because it is probably a trauma. It’s difficult to come (back) from, so I give him my support at least. He must have a strong mentality to start to play again and start to play so well.”
“He decided not to want to play for Jamaica. That’s his decision. That’s every players’ right to refuse to play for the nation.
“He opted to do that, not to play for Jamaica and that is the end of story for me, the absolute end.”
“There is no grudge. We have at least seen to it that the growth can continue and we don't need to restart from zero and there is a basis that we can work from.
“I've given a lot of work and time to this project and I would really love to see it continue to grow.”
“Ireland is rightly a proud footballing nation which has consistently produced talented players and enjoyed many memorable moments at major international tournaments.
"We have a young and exciting team that has genuine potential.
“I am looking forward to working closely with the players to help coach and guide them towards improved performances and results ensuring we qualify and compete at major tournaments on a regular basis.”
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