Michael O’Neill has signed a new four-year contract to extend his stay as Northern Ireland boss just two weeks after turning down an offer from Blackburn Rovers. O’Neill, 56, finished the season juggling dual roles with Northern Ireland and Blackburn and entered talks with the Championship club over extending his stay at Ewood Park after guiding them to safety. But having turned down Rovers to stay in international football O’Neill has finalized a deal with the Irish FA that runs until 2032. “This is a
role that means a great deal to me,” O’Neill said. “I continue to believe strongly in the potential of this group of players and the direction we are moving in. There is a lot of work ahead, but I am excited by the future.” O’Neill is in his second spell as Northern Ireland boss, with a friendly draw against Wales in March his 104th match in charge. The highlight of his tenure was leading the nation into Euro 2016, and there are now genuine hopes
that a young, talented squad is capable of returning to a major tournament at the Euros in two years’ time. O’Neill’s commitment will be welcomed by the Irish FA, who had feared losing him for a second time when he accepted the role with Blackburn in February – an announcement that stunned many Northern Ireland fans as it came just a few weeks before their World Cup qualifying play-off away to Italy. O’Neill, first appointed as Northern Ireland boss in 2011, left for Stoke in
early 2020, but returned to the role in 2022. Announcing his new deal, IFA president Conrad Kirkwood said: “Michael has made a massive contribution to Northern Ireland so far. I am delighted that he will continue that work into the future and I look forward to more memorable achievements for the team in the future.” News of the deal was announced on the day that O’Neill is due to name his squad for next month’s friends, with Northern Ireland due to face Guinea in Cadiz,
Spain, before traveling to Lille to take on World Cup-bound France.
Michael O’Neill, Northern Ireland, Irish FA, Conrad Kirkwood, Blackburn Rovers, Ewood Park, Euro 2016, squad, Cadiz, Lille, Guinea, France
Until 2032?? That’s a loooong time to be the Northern Ireland guy lol
So he turned down Blackburn and then stayed anyway? I’m confused, thought he was done with NI when he went to England.
Didn’t this guy already leave like twice? If he’s been in charge since 2011 how are they “moving in a direction” like it’s brand new. Also Euro 2016 highlight?? I forgot they even made that happen.
Good for him but I don’t get why fans “feared losing him” again like he hasn’t been going back and forth forever. Guinea in Cadiz sounds random, and then France in Lille like that’s supposed to be easy. Maybe he’ll just keep doing the safe thing and hope the young players show up.