MICHAEL O’NEILL IS to be rewarded with a new two-year contract as Northern Ireland manager after overseeing a remarkable transformation in the team’s fortunes.
The former Shamrock Rovers boss took over in December 2011 and has hauled Northern Ireland from the international wilderness to the brink of a major tournament.
Victory over Greece next week at Windsor Park would secure qualification for Euro 2016. It would be the first time in their history that Northern Ireland have reached the European Championships.
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And speaking to BBC, Irish Football Association president Jim Shaw revealed a two-year contract extension will be offered to O’Neill at the end of the current campaign.
“Michael has been superb for Northern Ireland,” Shaw said.
“It took him a tournament to get what he wanted, but now the results are proving he is capable of managing at the highest level, in international football.
“We tend to go on two-year cycles because that matches the tournaments.
“If that suits both parties, I am happy with that. But it does not mean there is no commitment to hanging on to our manager.
“We do not want to lose him at any stage and we will be dealing with Michael in the near future.”
Northern Ireland sit 35th in the latest Fifa rankings (a six-year high) having jumped 94 places in the space of just three years under O’Neill’s tutelage.
At least one O'Neill will be given a new contract after Euro 2016 qualifying campaign
MICHAEL O’NEILL IS to be rewarded with a new two-year contract as Northern Ireland manager after overseeing a remarkable transformation in the team’s fortunes.
The former Shamrock Rovers boss took over in December 2011 and has hauled Northern Ireland from the international wilderness to the brink of a major tournament.
Victory over Greece next week at Windsor Park would secure qualification for Euro 2016. It would be the first time in their history that Northern Ireland have reached the European Championships.
And speaking to BBC, Irish Football Association president Jim Shaw revealed a two-year contract extension will be offered to O’Neill at the end of the current campaign.
“Michael has been superb for Northern Ireland,” Shaw said.
“It took him a tournament to get what he wanted, but now the results are proving he is capable of managing at the highest level, in international football.
“We tend to go on two-year cycles because that matches the tournaments.
“If that suits both parties, I am happy with that. But it does not mean there is no commitment to hanging on to our manager.
“We do not want to lose him at any stage and we will be dealing with Michael in the near future.”
Northern Ireland sit 35th in the latest Fifa rankings (a six-year high) having jumped 94 places in the space of just three years under O’Neill’s tutelage.
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Michael O'Neill Northern Ireland working miracles