Michael O’Neill
Michael O’Neill was confirmed as the new manager of Northern Ireland’s national team on Wednesday, agreeing a two-year contract to lead his country in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
The former Shamrock Rovers manager has been chosen ahead of Jim Magilton and Iain Dowie to succeed Nigel Worthington in the post, and will begin work on February 1.
Irish Football Association chief executive Patrick Nelson described O’Neill as “the stand-out choice from an excellent field”.
He is thought to be earning around half the £450,000 ($695,000) a year given to his predecessor and inherits a side who finished a disappointing fifth in their Euro 2012 qualifying group, ahead of only the Faroe Islands.
“I am honoured to be chosen to manage my country,” the 42-year-old O’Neill was quoted as saying on the Irish FA’s official website.
“Northern Ireland has a strong football tradition but one that needs to be refreshed with some more contemporary success.
“That is my primary objective — to restore a sense of belief and pride in what it means to represent Northern Ireland so that our players will want only to play for their country.
“That is how it should be. There is a huge amount of work to be done but with the right direction and the necessary passion, good progress can be made.”
O’Neill left his post at Shamrock Rovers earlier this month after a successful two-year stay with the Dublin club in which he won back-to-back League of Ireland titles.
He also led them to the group phase of the Europa League this season with a play-off win over Partizan Belgrade, making them the first League of Ireland side to do so.
He had previously been in charge of Brechin City in Scotland, having spent much of his playing career in the Scottish game with Dundee United and Hibernian.
He also played for Newcastle United and Coventry City.
O’Neill’s reign will get under way with a Windsor Park friendly against Norway on February 29.
Their World Cup qualifying campaign begins in Russia on September 7, with Portugal, Azerbaijan, Israel and Luxembourg also waiting in Group F.
©2011 AFP