Indonesia monitoring Hallgrímsson as Ireland boss faces defining month

INTEREST: Heimir Hallgrímsson is understood to be attracting interest from Indonesia if his time as Ireland manager concludes this month. PictuRe: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Heimir Hallgrímsson is understood to be attracting interest from Indonesia if his time as Ireland manager concludes this month.

The Icelander’s contract with the FAI mirrors their involvement in the World Cup qualifiers which will end unless at least one victory is achieved against Portugal or Hungary.

Ireland are third in the group heading into the final double-header, starting with the visit of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to Lansdowne Road on Thursday week.

Should Hungary see off Armenia earlier in the day, Ireland will require at least a point against the group leaders.

Even with a draw, Ireland will need to win by more than one goal in Budapest on November 16 to usurp Dominik Szoboszlai’s Magyars to enter the playoffs next March.

Indonesia are on the lookout for a boss after recently axing Patrick Kluivert just nine months into a two-year contract. He won three of his eight matches, with defeats to Saudi Arabia and Iraq coming after heavy losses to Australia and Japan.

His fellow Dutchman Jordi Cryuff was also drafted in earlier this year as the federation's technical advisor.

Out of contention to reach next year’s World Cup, Kluivert’s successor will be tasked with resurrecting the nation ranked 119th in the world, starting with the 2027 Asian Cup.

It’s believed the Indonesian FA, whose President is Oxford United co-owner Erick Thohir, have compiled a shortlist of managerial candidates but are awaiting the outcome of the November window to finalise their targets.

Hallgrímsson’s appointment by the FAI in July 2024 followed an eight-month search for Stephen Kenny’s successor. He’d previously managed his native Iceland and Jamaica at major tournaments, along with a stint in Qatar.

His deal covered the Nations League and World Cup series. Despite mentioning the prospect of an extension before the qualifiers began, defeat to Armenia in September scuppered that.

“After the last game, I talked to the chief executive and the president, saying, ‘let’s postpone that until after the tournament,” Hallgrímsson revealed last month.

“Probably an agent or another coach would like to sign a long-term contract and then be fired or whatever. But I’m not that kind. I don’t want to be where I’m not wanted.” 

Hallgrímsson must confront what could be his final window missing a phalanx of frontliners from the squad to be unveiled on Thursday morning.

Evan Ferguson’s ankle injury while playing for Roma adds him to a casualty list led by Robbie Brady, while Jayson Molumby and Ryan Manning are suspended for the Portugal visit.

Alan Browne, currently a Championship regular for Middlesbrough on loan from Sunderland, could be recalled as a midfield option.