Hermann Hreiðarsson
Hermann in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth (1974-07-11) 11 July 1974
Place of birth Reykjavík, Iceland
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Left-back, centre-back
Team information
Current team
 ÍBV (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1997 ÍBV 66 (5)
1997–1998 Crystal Palace 37 (2)
1998–1999 Brentford 41 (6)
1999–2000 Wimbledon 25 (1)
2000–2003 Ipswich Town 102 (2)
2003–2007 Charlton Athletic 132 (3)
2007–2012 Portsmouth 102 (7)
2012 Coventry City 2 (0)
2013 ÍBV 4 (0)
2014 Fylkir 0 (0)
Total 511 (26)
International career
1995 Iceland U-21 6 (1)
1996–2011 Iceland 89 (5)
Managerial career
2013 ÍBV (player-manager)
2015–2016 Fylkir
2017–2018 Fylkir (women)
2018 Kerala Blasters (assistant)
2019–2020 Southend United (assistant)
2020–2021 Þróttur Vogum
2021– ÍBV
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Hermann Hreiðarsson (born 11 July 1974) is an Icelandic former professional football player and coach. He played as a defender and spent 15 seasons in England, gaining a total of 315 appearances in the Premier League.

Hermann was relegated from the Premier League five times, a record he holds jointly with Nathan Blake. He was relegated with every Premier League club he has played for: Crystal Palace (1997–98 season), Wimbledon (1999–2000), Ipswich Town (2001–02), Charlton Athletic (2006–07), and Portsmouth (2009–10).

Club career

Early career

In 1993, Hermann started playing for his local club ÍBV, where he took part in five seasons with the team. He only played three matches out of 18 in his first season as the club finished 8th out of 10, but played all the matches in the next two seasons with the club finishing 8th and then 3rd. He then played every match but one in his fourth season as the club finished 4th. He left before the completion of his last season, but the club ended up as champions of Iceland for the second time and for the first time in 18 years, with Hermann playing a big role in the turnaround of the club's fortunes.[1]

In 1997, Hermann was scouted by Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace.[2] He came into English football in August that year when Palace signed him up. He was one of the team's few stand-out players in a season where Palace were relegated. At Palace, Hermann scored league goals against Sheffield Wednesday[3] and Chelsea, with the latter goal briefly giving Palace the lead at Stamford Bridge.[4] He also scored once in the League Cup against Torquay United.[5]

Brentford

In September 1998, Hermann opted to move further down The Football League and followed recently departed Crystal Palace chairman Ron Noades to Brentford, where Noades was now chairman as well as the manager. He joined the London-based Third Division side for a then-club record incoming fee of £750,000.[6]

Brentford were champions of the Third Division and Hermann scored six goals, but in October 1999, he signed for Premier League side Wimbledon in a deal worth £2.5 million, which remained Brentford's record transfer fee received until September 2014.[7] They were later relegated from the top flight that season. During his time at Wimbledon, he scored once against West Ham United.[8]

Ipswich Town

A£4.5 million move before the 2000–01 season saw him become newly promoted Ipswich Town's record signing. Ipswich finished fifth in the club's first season back in the Premier League, thus securing a UEFA Cup place. The following season, there was a complete reversal of fortunes, and they were relegated. Ipswich trimmed their squad to save on finances, but Hermann turned down a move to newly promoted West Bromwich Albion at the start of the 2002–03 season – reportedly due to West Bromwich offering him vastly reduced wages compared to what he was currently receiving, and also Hermann not wanting to face another relegation battle.[9] At Ipswich he scored league goals against Manchester City[10] and West Ham United[11] and scored once in the UEFA Cup against Helsingborg.[12]

Charlton Athletic

In March 2003, Hermann moved on from Ipswich, joining Premier League side Charlton Athletic. He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, with the club paying £800,000, plus a further £100,000 if they were not relegated in the 2003–04 season to Hermann. He was able to move to Charlton outside the Premier League's transfer window as Ipswich were in administration, although he would not be eligible to play for the club for the remainder of that season.

Hermann proved his worth for Charlton after making his debut in a 3–0 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City. He would miss only five matches in his debut season, and would be regular starter in subsequent years.

Portsmouth

On 25 May 2007, Hermann exercised a clause in his contract with Charlton which allowed him to leave on a free transfer if they were relegated and signed a two-year deal with fellow Premier League club Portsmouth.[13] On 29 September, Hermann scored his first goal for Portsmouth in a 7–4 Premier League win at home against Reading.[14] He followed that up with another goal the following weekend against Fulham.[14] On 20 April 2008, Hermann was sent off for a professional foul on Darius Vassell at the City of Manchester Stadium against Manchester City, but his season ended well by lifting the FA Cup after a 1–0 victory over Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium.[15]

Hermann scored two goals in two matches for the second season running in 2009, when he netted with headers against both Liverpool and Manchester City. In December 2009, he scored the first goal in a 2–0 victory against Burnley. On 27 March 2010, Hermann snapped his achilles tendon in an away match against Tottenham Hotspur and was ruled out for the rest of the season.[16] After the match, Spurs and former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp commented, "The game was soured by Hermann's injury. The lads said they heard it pop." Due to this injury, Hermann was unable to play in the 2010 FA Cup Final.

After Portsmouth were relegated from the Premier League, it became unknown whether Hermann would stay at the club. However, on 8 October, he signed a new one-year contract.[17] For most of the 2010–11 season, Hermann remained on the bench, as manager Steve Cotterill preferred loan signing Carl Dickinson, but in the latter part of the season, he became first-choice ahead of Dickinson and made his 500th league appearance against Barnsley on 19 February 2011.[18] He signed a new one-year contract with Portsmouth on 8 July.[19]

Coventry City

On 14 January 2012, after a long injury spell and limited playing time, it was announced that Hermann would sign for fellow Championship side Coventry City on a six-month contract.[20] He was injured after only two appearances and could not play for the rest of the season.

Hermann was released by Coventry when his contract ran out at the end of the 2011–12 season. Coincidentally, both Coventry City and Portsmouth were relegated from the Championship that season.

Portsmouth trial

On 4 September 2012, a rumour circulated that Hermann was to offer his services to Portsmouth and play for nothing. The following day, the rumour was confirmed by local newspaper The News. In an online article, manager Michael Appleton stated "Hermann will come in and train with us towards the end of the week and we will see where he is from a fitness point of view. He tells me he wants to play for nothing but we will assess him. I am certainly not ruling it out. We will see how his fitness is, like we would do with any triallist". Hermann intended to play in an upcoming League One match against Crawley Town,[21] but due to his appointment as manager of his hometown club ÍBV, he did not play.

International career

Hermann made his debut for Iceland in a June 1996 friendly match against Cyprus, coming on as a substitute for Alexander Högnason. He since become a strongly established member of the team, collecting 89 caps[22] and captaining the side in his later years.

Managerial career

Hermann reached an agreement with his hometown club ÍBV on 19 September 2012 to become their manager for the 2013 Úrvalsdeild season.[23] He would later sign former English international goalkeeper and Portsmouth teammate David James for the 2013 season. He then spent three years at Fylkir, managing the men's team during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, and the women's team during the 2017 season. In January 2018, he teamed up once again with David James at Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League as assistant manager, after James' appointment as manager.[24]

On 22 October 2019, he was appointed assistant to Sol Campbell at Southend United of English League One.[25] Following the club's relegation, on 30 June 2020, manager Campbell and his three assistants left the club by mutual consent.[26]

Personal life

Hermann has four children, two boys with his current fiancée Alexandra Fanney Jóhannsdóttir,[27] and two girls, footballers Ída Marín and Thelma Lóa, from his previous marriage to Ragna Lóa Stefánsdóttir.[28]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[29][30][31]
Club Season Division League Cup League Cup Other Europe Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
ÍBV 1993 Úrvalsdeild 2000———20
1994 18231———213
1995 18110———191
1996 17250??1[lower-alpha 1]020252
1997 11031??—00141
Total 665122001020817
Crystal Palace 1997–98 Premier League 30240200000362
1998–99 First Division 7000310000101
Total 37240510000463
Brentford 1998–99 Third Division 33421003100386
1999–2000 Second Division 8200200000102
Total 41621203100488
Wimbledon 1999–2000 Premier League 24120000000261
2000–01 First Division 100000000010
Total 25120000000271
Ipswich Town 2000–01 Premier League 36120700000451
2001–02 38120100061472
2002–03 First Division 28020300030360
Total 10226011000911283
Charlton Athletic 2003–04 Premier League 33210100000352
2004–05 34130210000392
2005–06 34050300000420
2006–07 31000200000330
Total 1323908100001494
Portsmouth 2007–08 Premier League 32360100000393
2008–09 23220101[lower-alpha 2]031303
2009–10 17150100000231
2010–11 Championship 28110000000291
2011–12 200000000020
Total 10271403010311228
Coventry City 2011–12 Championship 200000000020
ÍBV 2013 Úrvalsdeild 400000—3070
Fylkir 2014 Úrvalsdeild 000000—0000
Career total 513264932925117261034

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[30]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Iceland 199630
199760
199880
1999101
200070
200171
200250
200361
200480
200541
200661
200750
200870
200930
201010
201130
Total895
Scores and results list Iceland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hermann goal.
List of international goals scored by Hermann Hreiðarsson
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
14 September 1999Laugardalsvöllur, Iceland Andorra2–03–0UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying
224 March 2001Sofia, Bulgaria Bulgaria1–01–2FIFA World Cup 2002 Qualifying
311 June 2003Kaunas, Lithuania Lithuania2–03–0UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
47 September 2005Sofia, Bulgaria Bulgaria2–03–2FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifying
52 September 2006Belfast, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland2–03–0UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying

Honours

ÍBV

Brentford

Portsmouth

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Hermann Hreiðarsson – Knattspyrnusamband Íslands". ksi.is.
  2. ↑ "fotbollselvan – Hermann Hreidarsson, mittback i ..." blogg.se. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "Sheff Wed 1 Crystal Palace 3". Sporting Life. 25 October 1997. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  4. ↑ Hadfield, Dave (11 March 1998). "Vialli double inspires Chelsea rout". The Independent. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  5. ↑ Harling, Nick (25 August 1998). "Hreidarsson scuppers battling Torquay". The Independent. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  6. ↑ Brentford Football Club Official Matchday Magazine versus Hull City 07/05/05. 2005. p. 46.
  7. ↑ "Forshaw completes Wigan move as Brentford receive record fee with Everton picking up sell-on". London 24. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  8. ↑ Tongue, Steve (26 December 1999). "Hislop's error rescues Wimbledon". The Independent. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  9. ↑ "Hreidarsson snubs West Brom". BBC News. 13 August 2002. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  10. ↑ "Ipswich give City the blues". BBC Sport. 25 November 2000. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  11. ↑ "Hammers sink Ipswich". BBC Sport. 28 October 2001. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  12. ↑ "Ipswich battle through". BBC Sport. 1 November 2001. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  13. ↑ Sinnott, John (25 May 2007). "Pompey sign defender Hreidarsson". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
  14. 1 2 "Games played by Hermann Hreidarsson in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  15. ↑ McNulty, Phil (17 May 2008). "Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
  16. ↑ "Tottenham 2–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 27 March 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  17. ↑ "Hreidarsson signs new deal". Sky Sports. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  18. ↑ "Portsmouth vs. Barnsley – 19 fevereiro 2011". Soccerway. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "Portsmouth Football Club". Portsmouth F.C. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "Fótbolti.net". Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  21. ↑ "Hermann to train with Pompey again". portsmouth.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  22. ↑ Iceland – Record International Players – Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
  23. ↑ "Fótbolti.net". Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  24. ↑ "Kerala Blasters assistant coach Hermann Hreiðarsson - There is work to be done". www.goal.com. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  25. ↑ "Southend appoint Campbell as manager". BBC Sport.
  26. ↑ "Sol Campbell: Southend United manager leaves by mutual consent". BBC Sport. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  27. ↑ Kristín María Þorsteinsdóttir (26 June 2020). "Hermann Hreiðars og Alexandra eiga von á barni nr. 2". Morgunblaðið. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  28. ↑ "Kippir í kynið". Morgunblaðið. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  29. ↑ "Hermann Hreiðarsson". Soccerbase. 28 December 2009. Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  30. 1 2 "Hermann Hreiðarsson". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  31. ↑ "Hermann Hreiðarsson games in Iceland". Knattspyrnusamband Íslands. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  32. ↑ McNulty, Phil (17 May 2008). "Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  33. ↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1999). The 1999–2000 Official PFA Footballers Factfile. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. p. 352. ISBN 978-1-85291-607-7.
  34. ↑ Pearce, Steve (30 March 2019). "DeVos and Hreidarsson Honoured". Ipswich Town Official Website. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
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