Mystery still lingers over protracted FAI search for boss

'It was never our intention to mislead anyone,' says FAI director of football Marc Canham

Thu, 11 Jul, 2024 - 14:35

John Fallon

Mixed messages were transmitted from the FAI about how they can justify their claim that new Ireland Heimir Hallgrímsson was first choice for the vacancy.

The nine-month wait to succeed Stephen Kenny ended on Wednesday afternoon when the Icelander was confirmed on a contract up until the end of the 2026 World Cup cycle.

That differs from the four-year contract mentioned by ex-chief executive Jonathan Hill in December and also doesn’t chime with the timelines announced.

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Hallgrímsson was adamant at today’s official unveiling that he was committed to the Jamaica job for the completion of the Copa America. He resigned on June 30 after they’d lost all three games at the tournament.

Canham, the FAI’s director of football, blamed “existing contractual obligation” on delaying the appointment until early April but that second deadline expired without the saga concluding.

“We identified Heimir at the back end of last year and had contact in an informal way,” said Canham.

“In March, the selection panel decided that Heimir was our number one candidate. We wanted to appoint him but he wanted to compete in the Copa America.

“We always wanted to get the right appointment and that’s why we made the decision to wait.

“We remained in contact with other candidates but Heimer was the only candidate we made a formal offer to.”

On the controversial saga of delays, he added: “It was never our intention to mislead anyone.

“Never did we sit in a room and think ‘let’s deliberately mislead people’.

“We recognise that was not the best communication and would do things differently again. We take responsibility for that.

“We were always in control of process, always in control.

“We were never willing to compromise, despite strong external pressure and we stayed true to our principles.”

Hallgrímsson confirmed he’d spoken to John O’Shea, who took interim charge of the four friendlies in March and June, and wants him to stick around as his sidekick.

He also intends to be based full-time in Ireland.