Republic of Ireland Coach Calls for Early Aggression After Tough Nations League Tests

After a rocky double-header in the Nations League, Heimir Hallgrimsson believes Ireland must adopt a more aggressive mentality from the outset of matches. The Irish manager reflected on his team’s struggles, particularly in the first half of games against Finland and Greece, where they often found themselves on the back foot before mounting a comeback or facing a late setback.

Despite securing a 2-1 win in Finland, Hallgrimsson’s side were under heavy pressure in both matches. In Athens, they were unable to recover from an early deficit, eventually losing 2-0 to Greece after a strong second-half showing. Hallgrimsson admitted that his team only began to play with urgency when they had no choice, and is now focused on addressing this psychological aspect.

“I joked that maybe we should ask FIFA if we can start with the second half,” Hallgrimsson said, highlighting the need to bring that fighting mentality from the very first whistle. “It’s definitely a psychological issue. We need to find a way to start the game with that mindset, instead of waiting until we’re behind.”

Hallgrimsson’s approach stands in contrast to that of his predecessor, Stephen Kenny, who favoured a more expansive style of play. Although Kenny’s tenure featured moments of promise, results were often hard to come by, with just six wins from 29 competitive matches. In contrast, Hallgrimsson has focused on Irish football’s traditional strengths: organisation, commitment, and industry, while incorporating creativity into his tactics.

Dara O’Shea, one of the standout performers in the defensive unit, echoed Hallgrimsson’s sentiments. Speaking after the Greece defeat, O’Shea said: “He knows our strengths and has simplified the game plan, asking us to get the ball into the opposition’s half quickly, where we can do damage. We have some excellent attacking players, and he wants us to get the ball to them.”

While the transition to Hallgrimsson’s style may take time, O’Shea is clear about the importance of results: “The way we play now is different, but we need to adapt quickly and start getting results.”

With upcoming matches against Finland and England next month, Hallgrimsson faces the challenge of instilling his vision in the team and ensuring that Ireland can compete from the very first minute.