Heimir Hallgrimsson (yes, the dentist) has stepped down as the manager of Iceland after seven remarkable years in the job.
The news was confirmed by the Icelandic FA on Tuesday morning…
The FA of Iceland can now confirm that Heimir Hallgrímsson will not continue as head coach of the Icelandic men´s national team. Hallgrímsson steps down as Iceland coach at his own request after 7 years in the job, having joined in 2011. pic.twitter.com/4Srl1lDdkq
— Knattspyrnusambandið (@footballiceland) 17 July 2018
The 51-year-old has resigned his post at his own request after leading his nation to their first ever World Cup, thus becoming the smallest nation to do so.
While Iceland exited after the group stage, they still managed to produce a memorable 1-1 draw against Argentina in their opening match, as well as two further hard-working resilient displays against Nigeria and eventual finalists Croatia.
Two years ago, Hallgrimsson took Iceland on a fantastic run at their first ever European Championships, where they thunderclapped their way to the quarter-finals (once again going out to the eventual finalists, France) after running roughshod over England in the last 16.
Anyway, it’s no overstatement to say that Hallgrímsson has changed Icelandic football forever – the spirit, the self-belief, the stature – and he thoroughly deserves whatever good things come his way in the years to come.
Well played, that man.