Guðmundur Guðmundsson and the Icelandic Handball Federation (HSÍ) have agreed upon the former’s resignation as head coach of the men’s national team in handball. Guðmundur’s career as head coach spans a twenty-two-year period, beginning in 2001.
14 years as head coach
Guðmundur Guðmundsson has stepped down as the head coach of the men’s national handball team, an announcement from Icelandic Handball Federation states. The decision was mutual, and according to HSÍ’s website, the two parties will not comment further on the decision at this time.
As noted in the announcement, Guðmundur has coached the Icelandic national team for a total of 14 years. As a coach, he brought the Icelandic national team to 16 major tournaments, including three Olympic Games.
“When Guðmundur took over the national team for the third time in 2018, the goal was to bring the national team back to the forefront, to be among the eight best national teams in the world. At the European Championship 2022 in Hungary, that goal was achieved when the team finished in 6th place,” the announcement reads.
Led a resurgent team following a difficult time
Guðmundur is also the only coach in the history of Icelandic handball who has won a medal with the team at a major tournament. Guðmundur first took on the role as head coach in 2001, before stepping aside in 2004. His second tenure began in 2008 and lasted for four years. Guðmundur is now stepping down having been head coach since 2018.
“On behalf of HSÍ, we would like to thank Guðmundur for a great job as head coach of the Icelandic men’s national handball team over a period spanning 22 years,” HSÍ stated in its announcement.
As noted by RÚV, the Icelandic team is set to play important matches against the Czech Republic in the European Championship qualifiers at the beginning of next month. Assistant coaches Gunnar Magnússon and Ágúst Jóhannsson will lead the team during those matches. The search for Guðmundur Guðmundsson’s successor has not started.
Vísir reported later today, quoting handball commentator and former head coach of Grótta Arnar Daði Arnarsson, that HSÍ had not intended to let Guðmundur go but were forced into the decision on behalf of the players.
