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Hallgrimsson was co-manager of the Iceland side that famously knocked England out of the Euro 2016 finals.
New Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson is hoping for a repeat of his past success against England when the teams clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Hallgrimsson, who was part of the Icelandic coaching team that secured a memorable 2-1 win over England in the last 16 of Euro 2016, is eager to recreate that magic with Ireland.
Reflecting on his previous triumph, Hallgrimsson said, “I hope we can achieve the same result tomorrow. That night was special because everything we did went right—our tactics, taking chances, and defending all worked perfectly. England didn’t manage to counter our game plan, so it was a memorable day. Hopefully, we can have a similar performance.”
However, Hallgrimsson acknowledges the challenge posed by the current England team, which has advanced to the finals of the last two European Championships. Under the interim management of former Ireland international Lee Carsley, the English squad is notably different from the team he faced in 2016.
H“This team is much stronger in terms of individual quality, technical skills, and speed,” Hallgrimsson noted. “They’ve been together for a significant time and have had a successful Under-21 campaign, which makes them a formidable opponent. We have just three days to prepare, whereas they are well-drilled and in high form.”
The Republic of Ireland's historical victory over England in Euro '88, thanks to Ray Houghton’s goal, remains a cherished memory, but their 3-0 friendly loss at Wembley in 2020 highlighted the growing disparity between the teams.
For Seamus Coleman and his teammates, this fixture is more than just a game; it’s an opportunity to impress the new manager. Coleman, who has played under several managers for Ireland, including Giovanni Trapattoni, Martin O'Neill, Mick McCarthy, Stephen Kenny, and various caretakers, emphasizes the importance of continuous effort.
“There’s no automatic right to play for your country or club,” Coleman said. “You have to give your best in training every day, and it’s up to the manager to make decisions. As long as I’m putting in my best effort, that’s all I can control.”
