Hallgrimsson gives strange reason after signing new Ireland contract

Fans are puzzled.

There was even more big news, with the manager revealing at the end of the press conference that he has signed a new contract until the end of the Euro 2028 campaign.

Hallgrimsson stated that pressure from the FAI led him to signing.

He said: "I extended my contract til after the Euros, I am happy to be here, I like the project. I said I wanted to do that after the qualification or tournament, but it was a big pressure from the association for me to sign before these matches, and I say again, I don’t wan tot be where I am not wanted, and I feel wanted, so we decided to extend.

"We are not there yet, I hope, some of the staff have already committed to continue, but I am hoping we’ll have an unchanged backroom staff. John O'Shea wants to stay on but hasn't signed anything, but spoke to him this morning, and before about this, if we he would continue, and he would love to stay on, he loves it. I hope we continue with the staff here.

"It's probably similar to general pay raise in Ireland for the last two years!"

Fans, however, are puzzled by the fact that the association did not wait until after the play-off to negotiate.

Surely this is something you negotiate and deal with after qualifying?

— T🇮🇪 (@Utd_T99) March 19, 2026

Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton Town).

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic)*, Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Ryan Manning (Southampton).

Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR).

Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Celtic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United, on loan from Ipswich Town), Sammie Szmodics (Derby County, on loan from Ipswich Town)