ACCORDING TO REPORTS TODAY Michael O'Neill is set to return to the Northern Ireland hotseat, two years after departing the role.
The 53-year-old took the NI job in 2011. The former Stoke boss guided the country to their first major tournament in 30 years by helping the north reach Euro 2016.
They were eventually knocked out by Germany.
O'Neill Ballymena man went onto co-manage Stoke City and Northern Ireland during his last spell as Northern Ireland boss, but focused all of his time at club level with Stoke when Northern Ireland’s Euro 2020 play-off was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic.
He was sacked by Stoke in August this year for poor form at the start of the new domestic season. The Potters had won only one and lost three of their opening five games in the Championship at that stage of the season and decided to part ways with him.
BREAKING: Michael O'Neill is close to agreeing a deal to return as Northern Ireland manager on a long-term contract. pic.twitter.com/xgB3AsjOU1
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 6, 2022
Today a report from the Belfast Telegraph claims that the deal to bring O'Neill back is at 'an advanced stage'.
Northern Ireland's Stuart Dallas said back in October. “The job he did there though was incredible. He turned the club around, and if the IFA were to bring him back for Northern Ireland, it would be brilliant. Players would love that.
Northern Ireland have been without a manager since sacking of Ian Baraclough this year.
After a poor Nations league campaign, he was sacked in October after narrowly avoiding back-to-back relegations in the Nations League.”
Stephen Robinson, once a member of O’Neill’s coaching team, came close to landing the top job when Baraclough was appointed and was expected to be an option again alongside the likes of Tommy Wright, Northern Ireland Women’s coach Kenny Shiels and Linfield boss David Healy, but O'Neill is expected to put pen to paper and win that race
