Michael O’Neill happy to help new manager

The Irish FA confirmed yesterday O’Neill has permanently left his role as Northern Ireland manager due to proposed revised international match scheduling by UEFA in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Stoke City boss was due to take the team for the rescheduled European Championship play-off semi-final away to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but with that game now not likely to go ahead until October a decision has been reached and agreed by both parties to permanently conclude O’Neill’s Northern Ireland reign.

The hunt now begins for O’Neill’s successor with the 50-year-old happy to help the new man out in any way he can.

“If the new manager wishes to speak to me or is looking for some guidance I am more than happy to do that,” he said. “I think if the games go ahead in October it will be a better situation as there will be Nations League games in September, so that will give the new manager a bit of a feel for things playing competitive fixtures.

“I had three friendlies in the run up to my first competitive fixture, which wasn’t helpful at all as I had three different squads for each game.

“Those Nations League games will give the new person a feel for what the preparations are like.

“I think the IFA want a level of continuity, and our excellent support staff give that. It’s a big area which has improved over the last few years, and they know what they are doing and how to prepare for big games.”

O’Neill is also happy to help the IFA as they begin their selection process, but he will not have a role to play in choosing who gets the job.

“If the Irish FA board would like me to help out and give guidance then I would be more than happy to do so, but I certainly won’t have any role to play in the decision to pick my successor,” he said.

“I know the IFA went through a lengthy process before I was appointed and for me I can see it being a similar process this time around.

“All those being mentioned for the job are all very credible candidates who are more than capable for the job.

“They also have a real affiliation to Northern Ireland.”