Jimmy Nicholl appointed new assistant manager of Northern Ireland

Former Northern Ireland defender Jimmy Nicholl has been appointed as assistant manager of Northern Ireland.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Mar 2015, 14:58 BST
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th May 2012 The Carling 2012 Northern Ireland Football Writers Association Football Awards at the Europa Hotel Belfast CARLING YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR Peter Murray on behalf of player Rory Donnelly receives his award from Jimmy Nicholl Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press EyePress Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th May 2012 The Carling 2012 Northern Ireland Football Writers Association Football Awards at the Europa Hotel Belfast CARLING YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR Peter Murray on behalf of player Rory Donnelly receives his award from Jimmy Nicholl Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th May 2012 The Carling 2012 Northern Ireland Football Writers Association Football Awards at the Europa Hotel Belfast CARLING YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR Peter Murray on behalf of player Rory Donnelly receives his award from Jimmy Nicholl Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Nicholl will continue in his role as manager of Scottish Championship side Cowdenbeath and will join Michael O’Neill’s backroom team for the remainder of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Nicholl won 73 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring one goal in a 3-0 win over Sweden in a World Cup Qualifier at Windsor Park on October 15, 1980).

He played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup Finals.

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The former Manchester United defender enjoyed a successful club career playing in England, Scotland and Canada with clubs including United, West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Raith Rovers, Rangers, Dunfermline Athletic and Toronto Blizzard.

Nicholl began his managerial career in 1990 as a player-manager with Raith Rovers where he had great success winning the Scottish League Cup and Scottish First Division in the 1994-1995 season. He is currently in his second stint as manager of Cowdenbeath.

Northern Ireland manager O’Neill said: “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Jimmy on board. He has vast experience as a player and a coach and having been capped 73 times he knows what it means to play for Northern Ireland and what an honour it is.

“I have known Jimmy for over 25 years and I know that he will be a huge asset to my backroom team.”

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Nicholl added: “Having played in two World Cups for Northern Ireland nothing would thrill me more than to be part of the squad to qualify for another major tournament and I am delighted that Michael and the Irish FA have seen fit to place such trust in me. I can’t wait to get started.”

Related topics:Northern IrelandRaith RoversScotland