INCOMING Reggae Boyz Head Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is heading into his new role with a strong knowledge of the players at his disposal, according to Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts.

Ricketts told the Jamaica Observer that the 55-year-old Icelander has been paying keen attention to the Boyz ahead of his unveiling on Friday.

“I am sure that he has done a lot of research on Jamaica’s football, particularly the players; so he is quite knowledgeable about our football programme,” Ricketts said.

The administrator said that he is looking forward to success for the national programme under the guidance of the former Iceland national coach and believes his first assignment, the September 27 friendly international against Argentina in New Jersey, could form the platform for a positive tenure.

“We are looking forward to some exciting times and I just hope and pray that things will work out,” Ricketts said. “I hope that we will be sane and sober in what we do and say and that we will get a very good result against Argentina.”

Hallgrimsson was the joint head coach along with Lars Lagerback during Iceland’s historic run to the quarter-finals of the 2016 UEFA European Championships before taking over the reins to lead the nation to their first Fifa World Cup appearance in 2018. He also spent time in Qatar with Al-Arabi.

He is already on the island but will be joined later by two assistants.

“The coach is actually coming with a goalkeeper coach and an assistant. Those are the only two staff members that he has requested of us, I am not sure why. The goalkeeper coach I also understand would have done a lot of work so he [Hallgrimsson] will come with two assistants. They may not be here on Friday — one I think will meet us in New York for the game on the 27th but we are looking forward to it,” the JFF boss stated.

Meanwhile, former national Assistant Coach Miguel Coley, who worked alongside Winfried Schaefer, welcomed the news of Hallgrimsson’s signing and hopes he will be able to get the team organised and playing to an identity quickly.

“Though not officially announced, I wish the new head coach all the best. I know a little bit about him in the fact that he brought his country to the World Cup and he once coached in the league I am presently coaching in,” said Coley.

“It will be time for work, structure, and clear direction and I wish he gets all the support he needs to make our team competitive and organised so he can add to his CV by bringing another team to the World Cup; that would be fantastic!” said Coley, an assistant coach at Umm Salal SC in the Qatar Stars League.

“So I wish him all the best as the team moves full speed ahead. Hope he soaks up the culture quickly, gives us an identity and develops other aspects of our football in a timely manner,” he added.