'Sometimes you need a b*****d in your team': Heimir Hallgrimsson says Ireland are a 'bit too nice'

SEARCHING FOR A SPECIALIST: Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. Pic: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Heimir Hallgrimsson has declared his intention to add steel to the Ireland team, revealing he’s seeking a “bastard” in his side to ditch the niceness.

In his first fans’ forum since being appointed on July 10, held at Lansdowne Road, the Icelander set out his stall for his tenure, kicking off with a double-header at the same venue against England and Greece on September 7 and 10.

His predecessor Stephen Kenny’s decision to adopt a long-term view by blooding a raft of young players failed miserably as results didn’t improve over his three-and-a-half years and the team’s Fifa ranking plummeted to 60.

Hallgrimsson noted how this had to improve for 2026 World Cup qualification to be a realistic objective but, without assembling his players yet, he narrowed in on a collective mindset shift.

“I think in many ways, Ireland is similar to Iceland in the sense that we don’t have many players playing at the highest level in the Champions League,” said the man who previously co-managed his homeland at Euro 2016 and as a standalone for the 2018 World Cup.

“There were some superpowers we always focused on and the objective was to improve in each camp – firstly to be the best defensive team then set-piece team and have best team spirit.

“So, there is no high, high, high-profile player.

“It’s going to be down to the squad to win the games; not the individuals.

“I think the first impression of the players is really good team players, really good characters, maybe a little bit too nice.

“Sometimes you need a bastard in your team. I am looking for him. Maybe we can develop him.” 

He added about the upcoming Nations League campaign, which provides a potential backdoor route to the showpiece co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico: “Greece and Finland are close to Ireland, two teams that are important to get results against to at least stay in this group.

“Hopefully, we win it but it’s important to get Fifa ranking points to help the draw for the World Cup.

"It’s tough to qualify coming from the 60s space because there’ll be at least two higher-ranked teams in the group.” 

Hallgrimsson – who accepted the FAI position just a week after ending his spell with Jamaica – confirmed Glenn Whelan was not staying on the backroom team from the one he inherited, the caretaker staff of his new assistant John O’Shea.

The vast majority are sticking around, including Crystal Palace coach Paddy McCarthy, but his efforts so far to entice an unnamed Spanish fitness coach have come up short.

“I’m happy with the staff but like to see how things go and how we grow,” he explained about his main priority since taking charge.

“We can add in, especially having a bridge between the medical team and fitness coaches.

“I was trying to get a Spanish guy. He worked with me previously in Qatar and came into the Jamaica camp in the six weeks leading up to Copa America.” 

His first squad announcement on Thursday week will be predominantly selected by the interim staff for the four friendlies contested between March and June as the FAI’s search descended into a saga.

He flanked O’Shea in attending the recent opening Championship match between Luton Town and Burnley, a game featuring four Irish players.

“I’m not going to lie by saying I’m an expert on the Irish players,” he confessed.

“This selection will be, more or less, based on their opinion. After three league games of the season, I can’t jump in and say you’re in the squad because you played well once. I will know more as I go on.” 

In other snippets from the night, the 57-year-old confessed to a tinge of regret at predicting a home-based Ireland squad to be assembled, outside of international windows early in the calendar year.

While strongly in favour of the concept, as he implemented in previous international jobs, he admitted FAI budgets could be restrictive.

“The negative thing is it costs money,” he stated in what appeared to be an introduction to the FAI’s debt reality.

“I try not to generalise but there’s not enough young players in the league,” was his initial observation after taking in some League of Ireland matches.

“There are a lot of players 26 and above; maybe that’s not the same across the teams.

“This league should be a platform for young players.

“The Icelandic club Breidablik have a brilliant youth set-up and have a policy of young players. They have sold seven players to other European clubs, a few to France and England.” 

There was also an indirect recommendation for Caoimhín Kelleher to hasten his planned move from Liverpool, denoting how goalkeepers require gametime to keep fresh.

“He showed how good he was last season,” was Hallgrimsson’s opening statement about the Corkman, set to resume his status as back-up to Brazilian Alisson.

“If he gets games, it’s good for us but goalkeepers usually benefit from starting on a regular basis. You don’t usually change a goalkeeper at half-time.”