FAI decided 'in March' that it wanted Hallgrimsson

Heimir Hallgrimsson was identified in March as the man to be the next Republic of Ireland manager, the Football Association of Ireland has said.

After a protracted eight-month search for a successor to Stephen Kenny, the former Iceland manager was a surprise appointment on Wednesday.

Hallgrimsson, who was joint-head coach of his native country when they stunned England at Euro 2016, was officially introduced as the new manager on Thursday.

The 57-year-old ex-Iceland boss stepped down as Jamaica manager last week after a two-year stint in charge following their exit at Copa America.

FAI director of football Marc Canham said that the governing body made initial contact with Hallgrimsson "at the back end of last year".

"We identified Heimir as a candidate and had an initial conversation with him in a very informal way, and we did the same with other candidates at that point," said Canham.

"In March our selection panel decided that Heimir was our number one candidate. He was the person we wanted for the role."

Canham added that with Hallgrimsson "committed" to Jamaica until the completion of their Copa America involvement, the FAI was happy to "wait for him to become available".

"For Irish football for the selection panel, all of our key focus it was always about getting the right person. That was fundamental to the whole process the whole time," added the FAI director of football, who refused to comment on any other candidate linked with the job.

Hallgrimson's appointment comes during a week when the FAI apologised to women players who allege they were sexually harassed and coerced which emerged in a joint investigation by the Sunday Independent newspaper and Irish national broadcaster RTE.

A day ahead of the Republic of Ireland women team's Euro 2025 qualifier against England, FAI interim chief executive David Courell began the news conference by referring to the "very serious allegations relating to historical abuse of women in Irish football".

"Our preference would have been to make this announcement at a different time but due to a range of factors we had to proceed today," said the FAI interim CEO.

"We communicated this to the group of women in advance and we have asked for their understanding.

"I wish to stress that we do not want to diminish or try to move on from what is a matter of the utmost seriousness."

When asked whether the timing of Hallgrimson's appointment 48 hours before the women team's game against England showed disrespect to Eileen Gleeson's squad, Courell replied that the women's boss had been contacted prior to Wednesday's announcement and "completely understands that this is the reality of professional football.

"There never is an ideal time for these announcements and I think the reality is we had secured our preferred candidate and we wanted to make sure he could get going as quickly as possible," added the FAI's interim CEO.

New manager Hallgrimsson, whose first game in charge will be the Nations League match on 7 September against Euro 2024 finalists England, revealed that he would be keen for previous interim boss John O'Shea to be part of his backroom team.

"I’m relying on the past coaches to help…..John O’Shea and more and I called him yesterday and told him I really would love to have him part of this journey," said Hallgrimsson, whose contract will be until the end of the 2026 World Cup campaign.

"I really think in the contest of continuity and progress, if he is on board, we will probably be faster in what we want to achieve."

Hallgrimsson added he informed the Jamaican Football Federation prior to the beginning of the Copa America tournament that he would be stepping away from his role with the Caribbean nation and that he had had other offers in addition to the Ireland job.

"From them (the FAI) and some others, there was some interest. I said from the beginning I was committed to Jamaica and finishing the Copa America.

"It was always an interesting project this national team. It was always kind of exciting and on the top of my list to come here."

After Stephen Kenny's experiment of attempting to get the Republic side playing expansive football, Hallgrimsson suggested he would be employing a more "back to basics" approach.

"That’s always the first thing you want as a national team coach and then you can build progressively on that. Not starting with the fancy stuff and forgetting about the basics."

Hallgrimsson sidestepped scathing criticism directed at the FAI by former Republic assistant boss Damien Duff, external who said on Wednesday that he would "raze to the ground" the governing body's Abbotstown headquarters, describing it as "the most uninviting unenthusiastic workplace not in world football but in the world".

"It’s not for me to say anything about that. I don’t have the background information," said the new Republic boss.

At that point, interim FAI CEO Courell intervened to defend the association and its staff.

"The reality is that I’m surrounded by on a daily basis by really passionate colleagues that want to make a difference in Irish football," said Courell.

"I appreciate that Damien is welcome to his own opinions but I just want to reaffirm for my colleagues benefit that we see the benefit in what they bring to the association to Irish football day in and day out."