Heimir Hallgrímsson the Right Man for the Job Despite Midfield Problems
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson handled relentless media criticism over the past fortnight while shielding his players from abuse and maintaining his position as the right man for the job. Despite facing nine separate press conferences during the international window—marked by the aftermath of his previous Gaza remarks—the 59-year-old coach absorbed the pressure and defended Gavin Bazunu’s decision not to play against Israel.
Hallgrímsson also took sole responsibility for benching Finn Azaz during the Israel fixtures, acknowledging that the midfielder’s family ties to both countries created an exceptional personal test.
FAI Petitions Uefa Over Future Israel Fixtures
The Football Association of Ireland is petitioning Uefa to keep the Republic of Ireland and Israel apart in future qualification draws, starting at the annual gathering of 55-member associations in Berlin on Thursday. FAI chief executive David Courell and president Paul Cooke traveled to Germany to advance the discussions.
Hallgrímsson stated over the weekend that European football’s governing body should consider separating the countries for player welfare reasons. Currently, Ireland and Israel cannot be paired in qualifying for Euro 2028 as both occupy Pot 3 ahead of the draw on December 6. That status shifts if Ireland defeats Kosovo in Dublin on November 17 and finishes runners-up in Group B3 behind Austria, a scenario that promotes them into Pot 2 and sets up a two-leg promotion playoff in March.
Ireland Seeks Playmakers to Solve Midfield Deficit
On-field evaluations from the international window show that Ireland still lacks a midfielder who demands the ball into feet before turning to initiate forward momentum. Finn Azaz remains the logical solution to this playmaking deficit.
Alternative depth is developing as Josh Cullen prepares to return for Burnley following a 10-month absence due to a knee injury. Rory Finneran, an 18-year-old Newcastle United midfielder capped by Hallgrímsson last summer, also has time to progress from the under-21s while currently on loan at Notts Country in League One.
Tactical Shape Shifts at the Spear of the Attack
Ireland struggled to a 1-0 loss in Kosovo on September 24 when starting five centre-halves behind two defensive midfielders, a configuration that choked off goalscoring chances. Hallgrímsson responded against Israel by maintaining a similar shape while pairing natural striker Adam Idah alongside Moylan and behind Troy Parrott.
Idah’s flick prompted Parrott to skin two defenders and score a goal. Evan Ferguson will enter the selection mix upon returning from ankle surgery, offering another option as the attack stabilizes around a rotating two-striker system flanked by Moylan as the number 10 and Azaz initiating play.
Defensively, Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea, Liam Scales, or James Abankwah are projected to fill the back three against Austria in Linz following glaring defensive errors by Jake O’Brien and Liam Kitching in the matches against Kosovo and Austria. Kosovo exploited the possession of Irish wing-backs Abankwah and Scales during their victory in Pristina. Séamus Coleman, at 38, could return to contention if he finds a club and regains match sharpness, while Ryan Manning replaced Scales for three fixtures, leaving the left wing-back role open since Robbie Brady’s injury.
The question of who claims permanent ownership of the left wing-back position and whether the midfield can secure a reliable distributor before the November fixtures against Austria and Kosovo remains unanswered.