SM
Thursday, November 7
Upcoming predictions and previews

The runners and riders to replace Michael O'Neill as Northern Ireland manager

:Headline: The runners and riders to replace Michael O'Neill as Northern Ireland manager: ID:378621: from db_amp
There are a host of attractive candidates as the IFA assess their options.

Michael O'Neill's move to Stoke means the Irish Football Association are on the lookout for a new manager, though the job will not be vacant until the Euro 2020 campaign has reached its conclusion.

Here, the PA news agency assesses some of those likely to be in the running.

Stephen Robinson

Stephen Robinson is a former Northern Ireland Under-21 boss (Jeff Holmes/PA)

The former Bournemouth and Luton player is well known to the IFA, having managed the under-21s and worked as an assistant to O'Neill. After a brief spell in charge of Oldham, he has impressed since taking over from Mark McGhee at Motherwell and is guaranteed to be in with a shout.

Tommy Wright

Former goalkeeper Tommy Wright would be interested (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Acted as goalkeeping coach in the early days of O'Neill's tenure but left to focus on his own career as a number one with St Johnstone. He lifted the Scottish Cup in 2014 and has held down the post for over six years. Knows the terrain after a decade in international football in his playing days.

David Healy

David Healy was a fan favourite as a player (Paul Faith/PA)

Northern Ireland's record goalscorer and key man in some of the country's most famous results, including wins over England and Spain. Already based at Windsor Park having taken over as Linfield boss in 2015, he has delivered a handful of trophies including two league titles. If overlooked for the main job, he may be groomed as next man in.

Grant McCann

Would leaving Hull be a wrench for Grant McCann? (Nigel French/PA)

Wore the jersey with pride and passion between 2001 and 2012 and is now winning plenty of admirers at Hull, having previously coached Peterborough and Doncaster. Would be sorely tempted if approached but already has a good job in the same division O'Neill has just jumped to.

Ian Baraclough

Current U21 boss Ian Baraclough is a leading English candidate (Gareth Copley/PA)

The Englishman is already on the payroll as under-21 manager, a position in which he has overseen shock victories over Spain and Iceland despite a paucity of playing resources. His knowledge of the next generation would be a plus but a homegrown candidate may be preferable. Previously assisted Robinson at Oldham, could he do so again?

amp_article__378621 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-11-11 11:36:15:
html db last update - 2019-11-11 11:36:15 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Read more about Michael O'Neill Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .