Heimir Hallgrimsson has proven to be a shocking appointment as the new Ireland manager and not just on these shores.
After an eighth month wait, the FAI managerial's search came to an end with the former Iceland and Jamaica manager named as Stephen Kenny's replacement.
Hallgrimsson is best known for his exploits in charge of his native Iceland, guiding them to an unlikely quarter-final at Euro 2016 after claiming the scalp of England.
He will look to repeat the feat in just under two months when Ireland take on England in what is his first game in charge.
Hallgrimsson had been relatively off-radar following his Iceland reign, managing at club level in Qatar before resigning from his duties with Jamaica after their underwhelming 2024 Copa America campaign.
He had steered them to two single-goal wins in their first two 2026 World Cup qualifiers prior to going winless in the Copa America in the group stages.
Oral Tracey claims Hallgrimsson should be banned from Jamaica
Hallgrimsson was quick to take up a role with Ireland, something which may have irked fans of The Reggae Boyz following their Copa America struggles.
Jamaican sports commentator Oral Tracey did not hold back in his assessment of Hallgrimsson making the switch to Ireland, given that he was contracted for a potential 2026 World Cup run.
Speaking on Television Jamaica, one of the country's major network's, Tracey shared his belief that Hallgrimsson had disrespected Jamaica and should be banned from re-entering the country.
"Former Reggae Boyz coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is now the coach of the Republic of Ireland's national senior team," he stated.
"His official appointment comes days after he grabbed up all of his marbles and ran away from Jamaica.
"I think the coach disrespected Jamaica. He was contracted and agreed to pilot Jamaica's 2026 World Cup bid and after two games he was gone.
"Obviously, he was in negotiations with Ireland so for those two first games in the qualifiers he had one foot in and one foot out.
"When you look at some of the team selections and subtitutions for those two games we have to wonder.
"We know people are prone to blame the JFF (Jamaica Football Federation) for everything - maybe so.
"But my gut feeling is that coach Heimir Hallgrimsson disrespected Jamaica and should be suspended from entering the country again."
The Reggae Boys are not happy😭 pic.twitter.com/zNttTrzyJw
— YBIG (@YouBoysInGreen) July 15, 2024
Tracey's suggestion that Hallgrimsson be banned could well be tongue-in-cheek but it is safe to say he has not taken his exit well.
There is also a disclaimer at the end of the clip noting that Tracey is speaking for himself and not Television Jamaica.
Whether or not Hallgrimsson had been in talks with Ireland during his Jamaica reign has not been confirmed but the timing of his move would allude to such a situation.
Elsewhere, Damien Duff was a lot more enthusiastic about the FAI's latest hire despite his vocal criticism of their search to find a successor to Stephen Kenny.
