Not a good look.
Following what many are calling Ireland’s worst defeat of all time, there have understandably been calls for Heimir Hallgrimsson to step down as manager of Ireland.
Such was the level of performance that it is difficult to see a way back from it, with the Boys in Green played off the park by the 105th ranked Armenians.
However, Hallgrimsson did receive plaudits for how he handled his post-match interview with RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue.
Many felt that the interviewer was far too harsh and ‘tabloid-like’, with loaded questions that seemed to be trying to get a heated reaction from the manager.
O’Donoghue opened up the interview by asking “that puts the whole World Cup dream into the bin really, doesn’t it?”.
Whatever one’s thoughts are on the likelihood or Ireland progressing, they are only two games in and very much able to qualify.
He then went on to list the recent poor results Armenia have suffered against the likes of Portugal, Georgia, and Kosovo, before putting the mic to Hallgrimsson.
The Icelander responded: “Is that a question”.
You can view the whole interview and social media reaction below.
On the game, Hallgrimsson also said: “Everything needs to be perfect from now on and after this performance, it’s difficult to be optimistic that we will go to Porutgal and win with a performance like we did today.
“A lot more negatives today than positives that’s for sure.
“We didn’t create a lot of chances. Just the whole team was not on it. It was (Armenia’s) day for sure, not ours.
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“Today, of course, I take the blame for this. Of course, I take the blame for this.
“But the players are the same players we were happy with against Bulgaria, happy with in the second half against Hungary.
“It’s the same players. Like I said, off day. What it is, we need to look inside and see what we can do differently.”
