Throughout the long, drawn-out hunt for a new Ireland men’s head coach, Shelbourne boss Damien Duff was one of the loudest dissenting voices.
In an alternate reality, Duff may have found himself one of the leading candidates for the role, given his excellent work at Tolka Park in recent years.
Instead, the 100-times capped ex-Ireland international spent much of the hunt ripping into the FAI for their process while completely detaching himself from any interest in taking on the role.
Duff has bigged up the League of Ireland as the shining light of Irish football (a not-so-subtle dig at the floundering men’s national team), expressed weariness at the media circus surrounding the manager hunt, and accused the FAI of disrespect towards interim manager John O’Shea.
At long last this week, the search came to an end, with former Iceland and Jamaica manager Heimir Hallgrímsson named as Stephen Kenny’s replacement.
With comments that will surely be a surprise to many fans of Irish football, Damien Duff has praised the appointment of Hallgrímsson, calling the Icelandic coach a “fascinating” pick.
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Damien Duff gives thoughts on Heimir Hallgrímsson appointment
Duff spoke to the Irish media after his side’s victory in the Conference League qualifiers against St. Joseph’s at Tolka Park on Thursday night. Heimer Hallgrímsson was in attendance in Drumcondra, though did not meet with the manager of the home team.
11 July 2024; Newly appointed Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, centre, with FAI director of football Marc Canham, right, during the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round first leg match between Shelbourne and St Joseph’s FC at Tolka Park in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
45-year-old Duff gave a surprisingly positive take on the FAI’s appointment of Heimir Hallgrímsson. The Shels boss pointed to Hallgrímsson’s work with Iceland at EURO 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, and said he was “fascinated” to see what the new man would do in charge.
I think he’s a brilliant appointment. You just have to look at ’16 and ’18, the Icelandic team, absolutely amazing. I remember watching against Argentina, absolutely organised.
I know you all think I hammer the FAI but I cannot wait to see what he does with the team. I’ll find it absolutely fascinating.
Despite his protestations about his perceived antagonism towards the FAI, Duff still had time to take a sly dig at former CEO Jonathan Hill for his decision not to move to Ireland during his time leading the association.
The thing about him, I believe him when he says he’s going to live in Ireland. A few people have said that over the last couple of years and they haven’t but I believe him.
It’s commitment, that’s all it is. It’s absolutely as simple as that.
Hallgrímsson has just under two months to prepare for his first game in charge, an enticing clash with the old enemy England in the Aviva Stadium. The Nations League clash takes place in Dublin on September 7th.
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